Manila Standard - 2026 April 30 - Thursday

Impeach case moves to plenary

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte and send the consolidated complaint against her to the plenary for a vote on Monday (May 4).

The committee voted unanimously that evidence in the two complaints alleging Duterte misused public funds in office and made a death threat against

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had successfully established probable cause to pursue impeachment.

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Charles Dantes

By Vito Barcelo

By Katrina Manubay

VICE President Sara Duterte’s legal team on Wednesday said the House Committee on Justice’s finding of probable cause to impeach her was “not unexpected,” citing the direction of the proceedings.

The statement came after the panel voted unanimously to find probable cause on two impeachment complaints, a step that could lead to the elevation of the cases to the plenary and possible transmittal to the Senate.

A total of 53 lawmakers voted to confirm probable cause on the complaints endorsed by ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega, and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante.

“The finding of probable cause by the House Committee on Justice was not unexpected, given the direction the proceedings had taken,” Duterte’s defense team said.

The camp also argued that the panel’s proceedings went beyond the verified complaints and supporting attachments.

“We respectfully maintain that the proceedings before the Committee departed

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SC: Senate to decide use of ‘forthwith’

By Rolando Ng III

THE Supreme Court (SC) clarified the use of the term “forthwith,” saying only the Senate can determine its application when convening itself as an impeachment court.

The High Court explained that the Senate may begin a trial within a reasonable timeframe, depending on the circumstances that may arise.

“The SC clarified that the term ‘forthwith’ in Article XI, Section 3(4) of the

Constitution means within a reasonable time, which may be longer or shorter, depending on the circumstances of each case,” the SC wrote, adding that the Upper House can prepare accordingly for the trial.

from the constitutional design. Instead of confining itself to the verified complaints and their attachments, the process expanded into matters that properly belong to a full trial,” it added. Duterte and her lawyers have consistently rejected the House inquiry, describing any “mini-trial” at the committee level as unconstitutional and arguing that trial functions fall under the Senate.

Meanwhile, the price of rice may rise to as high as P62 per kilo by September due to higher fertilizer costs triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Department of Agriculture said.

During the Senate’s Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) committee hearing, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said fertilizer prices have already surged from around P1,650 to about P3,000.

“So, ang rice tataas sa (the price of rice will increase) next harvest season, which is around September,” Tiu Laurel said.

“If our traditional practices remain the same, if we don’t use alternatives or farmers do not adopt the alternative fertilizers suggested by the DA, it can reach P62 per kilo, based on yesterday’s computation,” he said.

Tiu Laurel noted that before the conflict, rice prices were around P42 per kilo, and have since risen to about P50 per kilo.

Asked by Senator Bam Aquino about interventions to curb rising prices, Tiu Laurel said the DA is studying a “rice blend” strategy, combining imported and locally produced rice.

“We discussed this yesterday and we are working on a 70-30 blend. If we go 70-30 or eventually 60-40, because we need to support local rice, we want the 70-30 setup, so both local and imported rice will move together. Prices will likely go down,” he said.

“The landed cost of imported rice is currently P33 to P34. By that time, we expect it to reach P40. So P40 versus P55, or wholesale at around P52—if we blend it, the average price will go down slightly,” Tiu added.

He also said the DA is exploring a 50-50 “corn blend” combining rice and white corn.

“White corn is currently P17 to P18 per kilo, while palay is around P25. The minimum we believe farmers should earn in September should be P22 for wet palay or P27 for dry palay at current fertilizer prices,” said Tiu.

“If palay is P27 and corn is P20, a 50-50 blend would bring the price down,” he added.

Tiu Laurel said he has recently tried the corn blend and found it acceptable.

“Actually, you couldn’t really tell the difference eh,” he said.

Rep. Chel Diokno in the course of the House Committee on Justice impeachment hearing.

Lotoc and other members of his team likewise confirmed that they had recommended the filing of one count of inciting to sedition and three counts of grave threats against Duterte but said the case was still pending with the Department of Justice.

“While the Constitution requires the House of Representatives to act within a certain number of session days on an impeachment complaint, it does not specify a fixed timeframe for the Senate to start an impeachment trial,” it added.

The court also said the Senate, which convened as an impeachment court for the case of Vice President Sara Duterte in June, acted “timely.”

Nevertheless, it reminded the chamber to avoid unnecessary delays to uphold its duty as an impeachment court in ensuring accountability.

The SC also denied the mandamus petition filed by Catalino Generillo Jr., which sought to compel the Senate to convene as an impeachment court.

The SC said the petition could not be granted as there are no Articles of Impeachment left within the Senate’s jurisdiction to be taken up. As such, the case was considered “moot.”

Fourteen justices voted to affirm the decision, with none dissenting; only Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa abstained from the proceedings.

Under the Constitution, a guilty verdict would ban Duterte from elected office for life.

ment complaints against Duterte, cautioned that while Congress has broad powers, restraint is necessary.

The initiative is part of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, to help workers recover from displacement, underemployment, and other economic challenges.

Among the beneficiaries are 538 drivers under the recently launched TUPAD Tuloy Pasada Program, which provides short-term employment support to transport workers affected by income loss and operational disruptions brought by the energy emergency.

The program has already supported hundreds of affected jeepney drivers who ply the Cubao-Arayat route, the DOLE said.

The Department is also supporting the nationwide conduct of Kadiwa ng Pangulo in 47 sites, where workers and consumers can buy affordable food and basic goods directly from producers.

The DOLE has also partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to assist 10,000 farmers affected by El Niño in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Zamboanga, and CARAGA through emergency jobs and livelihood support. The initiative aims to provide immediate income while helping restore irrigation systems and strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods.

TUPAD remains DOLE’s emergency employment program for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers, providing short-term jobs for 10 to 30 days to help beneficiaries meet urgent daily needs while transitioning toward more stable sources of income.

TUPAD continues to serve as one of the government’s frontline responses in protecting livelihoods and helping vulnerable workers regain financial stability.

The 53 lawmaker-members of the panel also moved to consolidate the two complaints.

Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, one of the complaints’ endorsers, said the evidence showed an “alarming pattern of amassing unexplained wealth” as well as threats that struck “at the very heart of our constitutional order.”

“There’s no question we have enough and valid reason for this process to move forward and impeach the vice president,” De Lima said.

House committee chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro directed the committee to prepare the report and transmit the same to the complainants, the respondent, and justice members.

Once taken up by the plenary, a onethird vote of all House members or the equivalent of at least 106 lawmakers will be needed to impeach Duterte and send the case to the Senate for trial.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said the trial may start as early as mid-May as he vowed to act “definitely forthwith” on the articles of impeachment.

He said if the House submits the articles of impeachment on May 4, the Senate could convene as an impeachment court as early as the following day.

During questioning by House Committee on Justice chair Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the follow-up investigation is focused on verifying Duterte’s claim that she had hired an assassin.

“We considered it as a serious and actual threat to the life of the President, kaya kailangan po naming bantayan,” Matibag said.

He confirmed that investigators are now tracking specific individuals believed to be linked to the alleged plot.

The House committee, however, voted to keep sealed the Bureau of Internal Revenue box containing tax records linked to the Vice President with a 38-6 vote.

Luistro said the decision was consistent with the panel’s approach from the start.

“Since day one of our proceeding, we have taken the conservative route, we have taken the safer and the cautious road, because we owe it to the Filipino people that this impeachment proceeding should be able to proceed and reach its conclusion,” she said.

The motion to open the box, pushed by De Lima and backed by several lawmakers, sought to allow the committee to examine all subpoenaed evidence, including income tax returns, to fully assess allegations of unexplained wealth.

They said opening the box could either strengthen the case or clear the Vice President, with Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor warning that allowing tax laws to block the panel’s authority could set a dangerous precedent.

However, the majority of the panel members opposed opening the records at this stage, citing legal limits, procedural boundaries, and the risk of derailing the proceedings.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., one of the endorsers of the impeach-

“We have leads already. We have some personalities that we are under surveillance and sinusundan po namin. We are zeroing on several individuals already,” he said. Matibag declined to identify the individuals, citing operational security.

During the hearing, the NBI submitted an affidavit of its investigation into the alleged death threats the vice president made at a virtual press conference in November 2024.

The panel replayed a clip of the press conference where Duterte was seen and

“Just because we can do something does not mean we should. The job of the House is to determine probable cause,” Abante said.

House Deputy Speaker David Suarez warned that opening the box could trigger new legal challenges from the Vice President’s camp.

“Opening this box might trigger another petition in the court to again stop the proceedings,” Suarez said.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said financial records already on file are more than sufficient, citing the P6.77 billion in transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council compared to Duterte’s declared net worth of P88.5 million.

“On those two pieces of evidence, there is already enough to find probable cause,” Ridon said.

AMLC last week confirmed the Vice President and her spouse, Manases Carpio, were linked to 663 bank transactions—630 covered and 33 suspicious—amounting to P6.77 billion, which were submitted to the House justice committee as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Of the total, P4.42 billion were inflows and P1.55 billion were outflows, with an additional P791.1 million classified as undetermined, AMLC said. With AFP

heard saying: “May kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kaniya na kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta at si Martin Romualdez. No joke. Nagbilin na ako. ‘Pag namatay ako, sabi ko, ‘wag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapatay sila,’ and then he said yes.”

Reading the affidavit, NBI lawyer Yentl Malicad said the bureau had properly established the three elements of inciting to sedition: first, that Duterte was not a direct participant in the act of sedition itself; second, that she did utter seditious statements; and third, that the

putting their health at risk.

“Kapag kinulang ang pera, napipilitan tayo maghintay o magtipid. Dito nagsisimula ang panganib (When money is tight, we are forced to wait or reduce expenses. This is where the danger begins),” he said.

Beginning April 30, PhilHealth will significantly increase its maternity coverage. Benefits for normal hospital delivery will rise from P9,750 to P29,000, while coverage for caesarean sections will increase from P37,000 to between P58,000 and P62,000

President Marcos said the expanded benefits are intended to address cases where women give birth without medical supervision due to financial constraints.

“Maraming ina ang nanganganak na walang doktor, hindi dahil ayaw nila ng tamang pangalaga, kung hindi dahil hindi nila kaya ang panggastos (Many mothers give birth without a doctor, not because they do not want proper care, but because they cannot afford the cost),” he said.

The program also expands prenatal care coverage from four to eight checkups, including vaccines and laboratory tests. In addition, three postnatal follow-up visits will now be covered.

The president said that in many cases, particularly for patients admitted in ward accommodations, even in private hospitals, the enhanced package could eliminate out-of-pocket expenses upon discharge.

“Simple lamang ang ating layunin. Nais natin matiyak na ang bawat ina ay makakapagpanganak ng ligtas at hindi nagaalala kung saan kukuha ng pambayad,” the chief executive said.

(Our goal is simple. We want to ensure that every mother can give birth safely without worrying about where to get the money to pay.)

statements were made through speech. NBI agent John Mark Calilung also confirmed to the committee that they had verified and authenticated the video of the online press conference, ensuring it was an accurate and unaltered record of what transpired, with no edits, splices, or artificial intelligence generation. He added that Meta had complied with the bureau’s request to preserve the video, which had been livestreamed by the account of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Marcos backs ASEAN trade action plan

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed support for a regional strategic action plan aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation across Southeast Asia, as the Philippines prepares to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

Speaking at the launch of the “Advancing ASEAN” initiative led by the US-ASEAN Business Council and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines, Mr. Marcos said the plan reflects growing collaboration between governments and the private sector to address economic challenges and deliver concrete results.

“For decades now, the USABC has served as a strong and consistent partner in advancing trade, investment, and economic cooperation in our region,” President Marcos said, noting the role of business groups in bridging policy and implementation.

The president said the initiative comes at a time of global uncertainty, citing tensions in the Middle East that continue to affect energy markets, disrupt supply chains, and drive up the cost of basic goods.

“For ASEAN, these are not distant developments. They are felt in the rising cost of energy, in the price of basic goods, and in the everyday lives of our people,” he said.

The strategic action plan outlines priority areas including sustainability, food security, healthcare, supply chains, the digital economy, workforce development, and artificial intelligence. Mr. Marcos said these initiatives aim to build a “more connected, more resilient, and more competitive ASEAN.”

QC launches open data system on key programs

By Rio N. Araja

THE Quezon City government on Wednesday launched its Open Data Dashboards, allowing residents to log in and scrutinize real-time data on key city programs.

Accessible through the QC eServices portal (www.qceservices.quezoncity. gov.ph⁠), the dashboards aim to provide a clearer view of how government initiatives are implemented and delivered. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasized that the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in open governance.

“Through our Open Data Dashboards, we are giving QCitizens access to information that empowers them to hold the government accountable and take part in shaping programs and policies that affect their lives… every QCitizen can see how public funds are being used and how programs are being delivered,” Belmonte said.

“This also demonstrates how the city government ensures that every peso of public money is put to work, translating into services that are truly felt on the ground. This is transparency in action,” she added.

OCTA: Self-rated poverty declines among Pinoys

By Katrina Manubay

SELF-RATED poverty among Filipino households declined slightly in early 2026, but food insecurity increased, indicating a fragile recovery for households, according to a survey by the OCTA Research group. In the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey, the self-rated poverty rate decreased by two percentage points, from 37% in December 2025 to 35% (approximately 9.2 million families) in March 2026.

Regionally, self-rated poverty declined significantly in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mindanao, with decreases of 12 and 11 percentage points, respectively.

However, self-rated poverty rose by 3 and 4 percentage points in Balance Luzon and the Visayas, respectively.

Among major regions, Mindanao reported the highest self-rated poverty incidence at 56%, followed by the Visayas at 44%.

By socioeconomic class, self-rated poverty was most pronounced among lower-income households, with 58% of Class E families reporting poverty, compared to 35% in Class D and 15% in Class ABC.

OCTA noted that these results highlight the persistent concentration of poverty among poorer households, despite relatively stable national conditions.

The survey also revealed a marginal increase in self-rated food poverty,

from 30% (approximately 7.9 million families) to 31% (around 8.1 million families).

This one-point increase represents roughly 200,000 additional families who considered themselves food-poor in the first quarter of 2026.

However, OCTA emphasized that this difference is not statistically significant and falls within the survey’s margin of error, suggesting that food poverty conditions remained generally stable during this period.

Among major areas, Mindanao recorded the highest self-rated food poverty at 53%, while NCR posted the lowest at 12%, indicating a 41-point regional gap in perceived food deprivation.

on April 29 after

Navy monitors Chinese ships during drills

By Rex Espiritu

SEVERAL Chinese naval vessels and aircraft within the vicinity of the Multinational Maritime Exercise (MME) were monitored during Balikatan 2026, a Navy official said.

According to Capt. Paul Michael Hechenova, commanding officer of BRP Miguel Malvar, a number of foreign vessels were detected from the start of the maritime drills on April 24 until their conclusion.

“During the duration of this activity, we have so far detected four PLA Navy warships around the vicinity of the exercises starting from day one at sea,” Hechenova said.

Among those monitored, according to an ABS-CBN report, were a Jiangkai III-class frigate (bow number

555), a Jiangkai II-class frigate (bow number 547), a Luyang-class destroyer (bow number 168), and a Dongdiao-class intelligence-gathering ship.

In addition, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels were also monitored in the area.

The Philippine Navy also tracked aerial assets believed to be from China, including a fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft, a helicopter, and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

“We also monitored three aircraft from them flying around—one fixedwing aircraft, one unmanned system flying above 20,000 feet, and one helicopter coming from one of their warships,” Hechenova added.

Despite their presence, the Navy said no unusual or hostile actions were recorded.

IN BRIEF

PNP to mobilize 9k cops to secure BARMM polls

THE Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) on Wednesday said around 9,000 police personnel will be tapped to help secure the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are expected to send 3,000 personnel.

PRO-BAR chief Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman said a sufficient number of soldiers, police, and PCG personnel must remain in their posts to ensure peace and order in their respective areas. He said security officials are eyeing limited augmentation from Mindanao units for the implementation of peace and order measures for the first BARMM parliamentary elections, including members of the PNP’s Special Action Force and Mobile Force units. Vince Lopez

Pangilinan seeks probe into N. Occidental clash

AN INDEPENDENT Senate investigation is being sought by Senator Francis Pangilinan following an armed encounter in Negros Occidental that claimed 19 lives.

Pangilinan on Wednesday lamented the bloodshed after the clash between the 79th Infantry Battalion and the Northern Negros Front, stressing the need for a credible probe to determine whether those killed were combatants or civilians.

“As a father and as a former activist, it is deeply painful that nineteen Filipinos died in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19… and several communities were forced to leave their homes in fear,” he said. Ram Superable

Benguet harvest benefits Senate security personnel

A CHARITABLE food distribution program on Wednesday was spearheaded by the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc., delivering two truckloads of fresh produce from Benguet to about 400 recipients.

Organized with the Legislation Department and the Office of the Senate Secretary, the “Ani ng Bayan, Alay sa Mamamayan” project provided essential food supplies to service units and visitors within the Senate.

“We should not forget our family within… especially in these challenging times, we must continue helping one another,” said acting foundation president Ciara Sotto. Ram Superable

Nartatez orders probe on 2 cops acting as escorts

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday launched an investigation on potential lapses in command responsibility after two police officers were arrested for complicity in the illegal transporting of mineral ores in Misamis Oriental.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said command accountability is under review following the arrest which has raised questions about how such activities went undetected.

“The fact that they were caught outside their jurisdiction proves they were moonlighting as escorts,” Nartatez said.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for rogue policemen. Aside from the criminal charges for violating the Mining Act, they will face immediate administrative cases for grave misconduct,” he added.

Two active-duty policemen and four civilians were arrested in Misamis Oriental for alleged involvement in the illegal transport of some P290,000 worth of mineral ores on April 27.

Police said the group was intercepted at a checkpoint in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Limonda, Opol while onboard an Isuzu L300 vehicle.

During inspection, police discovered 58 sacks of suspected unprocessed mineral materials inside the vehicle, as well as firearms and ammunition owned by the two police officers.

The two arrested policemen, a police senior master sergeant and a police staff sergeant assigned to Monkayo municipal police station in Davao (Region 11), were reportedly operating outside their assigned jurisdiction when apprehended.

NPA insurgents

‘persona non grata’ in Toboso

By Rex Espiritu

THE municipal council of Toboso, Negros Occidental has unanimously declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPANDF) as persona non grata or unwelcomed in their town.

The declaration is stated in Resolution 077- 2026 approved during its regular session on Tuesday, more than a week after the armed encounter between communist rebels and troops of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salamanca that claimed the lives of 19 individuals identified as NPA members.

“(This) expresses the strong condemnation of the local government against insurgency and affirms its support for peace-building initiatives and lawful governance,” the resolution stated, adding that it also “aligns with the efforts of the national government, including the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in promoting sustainable peace and development”.

As such, the municipality led by Mayor Richard Jaojoco and Vice Mayor Maria Luisa de la Cruz “reiterates its full support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other government agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and security”.

16 parties seek Comelec nod for BARMM polls

By Vito Barcelo

HE Commission on

TElections (Comelec) has announced that 16 political parties have applied for accreditation just days before the official opening of filing of certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said the poll body is currently finalizing screening parties will be accredited before the end of April.

The assessment aims to ensure that candidates filing their CoCs from May 5 to 7 can clearly identify their party affiliations.

The announcement was made after Comelec’s coordination

meeting with the Philippine National Police (PNP) covering security and preparations for both the Bangsamoro region and the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are scheduled for Sept. 14, 2026.

Garcia gave assurance that preparations remain on track and that the elections will proceed as planned, noting that the exercise will mark a historic first in the country.

Reports indicated that the Comelec has granted the accreditations of the Bangsamoro Party; the Alliance of Tri-Peoples Party; the Bangsamoro People’s Democratic Party; the Bangsamoro Empowerment and Social Transformation Party; the Progresibong Bangsamoro Party; Bangsamoro People’s Party; the Bangsamoro Federalist Party; the BARMM Grand Coalition; the Moro Ako Party; and the Indigenous, Settlers, Sama and Minorities Alliance Party.

Meanwhile, a group called on the Comelec to immediately resolve the issues of political parties, particularly of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), before the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for the first BARMM parliamentary elections.

In a letter submitted to the poll body, the Alliance for Moral Advancement and New BARMM for All (AMANA) asserted that party status in parliamentary elections is not a minor procedural matter.

“It affects nomination, voter choice, campaign organization, and the public’s understanding of who may validly participate. Delay can create confusion even before a final ruling is made,” AMANA said.

“We are not asking Comelec to favor any party. We ask only for timely clarity, equal treatment, and due process, so that all candidates, parties, voters, and election officers know the rules before filing begins,” AMANA added.

Solon

UNWELCOMED LPG PROJECT. Members of the Association of Lobo Resort Owners and Tourist Accommodation (ALRAYA) and concerned stakeholders stage a protest rally front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office in Quezon City to amplify their opposition to a liquefied petroleum gas project being pushed by the Pryce Gases Inc. in their community. Manny Palmero

backs CHR in Zambo raid probe

By Maricel V. Cruz

AKBAYAN Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula on Wednesday expressed her support for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigation into the deaths of three family members, including a minor, during a joint military-police operation in Zamboanga City.

Ismula’s statement followed the announcement by Bensaud de Guzman, chief of the CHR-Region 9 legal division, that an investigation is underway.

The victims, identified as village official Jerry Indan Alfad,52, year-old Rayyan Hassan Alfad, 22, and Salam Aradais Alfad, 12, were reported killed during a pre-dawn raid in Barangay Sinunuc.

“There is no room in our society for the killing of children and civilians in

the name of any operation. We support the CHR in seeking the truth because a 12-year-old child cannot just be ‘collateral damage,” Ismula said in Filipino.

Ismula said while the police claimed the victims “fought back” (nanlaban), eyewitnesses, including the slain family members’ child, said otherwise, demanding an independent and transparent inquiry. She noted that public trust in law enforcement is deeply eroded when operations result in the deaths of the very people they are sworn to protect.

“I am outraged. The authorities need to cooperate with the investigation as the integrity of our law enforcement agencies are on the line. If proven that there were grave human rights violations, those involved in the deadly operations must be held accountable,” she said.

IN BRIEF

OPAPRU seeks public involvement in gov’t THE Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Wednesday called for active citizen participation in governance, saying responsible citizenship is essential to building a progressive nation.

OPAPRU chief Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said Article 13 of the 1987 Constitution encourages citizen involvement in governance, adding that growth becomes more inclusive and meaningful when people participate.

“This is what Bagong Pilipinas is all about,” he said. Sarmiento also emphasized that sustaining peace is a shared responsibility, saying every Filipino has a role in building “positive peace,” which includes accountable government, rule of law, low corruption, strong institutions, social cohesion, equitable distribution of resources, respect for rights, and access to education and economic opportunities. Rex Espiritu BOC musters P99.5m from public auctions

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has so far collected a total of ₱99.508 million from public auctions this year, reflecting efforts to maximize the value of forfeited goods and boost revenue.

In its latest sale on April 28, the agency raised about ₱25 million through the Port of Manila’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Division.

A 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom was sold for ₱25,548,050, including fees. The BOC said the auction followed standard procedures to ensure a fair and competitive process.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said transparent disposal mechanisms help strengthen public trust and ensure accountable use of government resources. Vito Barcelo

LTO launches public information initiative

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has launched a communication initiative aimed at providing the public with a clear and accessible information regarding the agency’s policies, reforms, and operational results.

LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said the project dubbed “Kuwentuhan with the LTO Chief” was part of the agency’s ongoing reforms to strengthen accountability and make communication between the government and the public more open.

The maiden edition of the program featured the launch of “IReport Mo Kay LTO Chief,” a direct reporting tool providing the public with a quick and easy way to report complaints, corruption, or concerns through the website www.ireportmokayltochief. ph and its official Facebook page/ messenger I-Report Mo Kay LTO Chief.

Lacanilao said the initiative was attuned to his 7-point priority agenda. Rio N. Araja

OPINION

STRANGE are the latest twists and turns in the saga of the exiled Emperor of Bicolandia, The One That Got Away.

On Thursday evening,April 16, the president announced that Zaldy Co was “arrested” in the border of Czechia with Germany. He has not disclosed his source of information.

Our DILG secretary predicted that Zaldy would be back in a week or three, later apologizing because he thought Czechia’s immigration laws were like ours.

Through an entire week, our embassy in Praha headed by Ambassador Eduardo Martin Menez, a career diplomat previously assigned to the UN mission in NY, the Netherlands, Iran and Japan, was eerily quiet, neither confirming nor denying “fugitive” Co’s whereabouts and the status of his detention, if at all.

Another “fugitive”, Harry Roque, from his exile in the land where “the hills are alive with the Sound of Music,” claimed that Zaldy was not detained by Czech authorities. The DOJ steps into the picture where DFA was nowhere. Its acting secretary, along with a posse of functionaries traveled to Praha a week after the president’s “scoop”. They arrive Saturday, our time, and sought a meeting with their Czech counterparts which happened Monday evening (our time). The DOJ secretary also confirmed that we requested for an Interpol “red notice” as early as Nov. 25, but no red notice has been granted as of today.

My take: Interpol is wary of the intentions of our government, whose president misused it’s diffusion notice on ICC’s request to serve as basis for the “kidnap” of his predecessor, Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Interpol was now being extremely cautious of Philippine “requests.” In Filipino patois, “nadala na sila.”

Last Monday, after a brief meeting with Czech officials, our DOJ secretary announced dejectedly that Zaldy was no longer in Czech territory. Neither did he know where in Europe the ex-congressman had fled. Interesting points: why was our ambassador in Czechia eerily silent, and so was our DFA secretary, the security and protection of any Filipino citizen in their diplomatic assignments being their primary responsibility?

Ordered by Malacanang to be silent?

Meanwhile, less than a week after Co’s Bohemian escapade, former speaker Romualdez went on the air and in a pointedly crafted speech, denounced the provisional hold departure order against his April 20-approved travel authority for a medical furlough in Singapore. Thereafter, the Ombudsman announced that appropriate charges would soon be filed against the ex-speaker, along with the exsenate president and the first lady’s chum and supposed ex-SP “bagman” Meynard Ngu. Did the president hoodwink his first cous-

in into believing that Co would soon return and “tell all”, and point to the ex-speaker as sole “mastermind”?

Reacting to what could have been a ruse, Romualdez reiterated his professed innocence and pointed to Co and Chiz as the designers of the 2025 criminal budget, exempting himself and Grace Poe.

But his ominous words rang loud: “he would not allow himself to be the scapegoat,” “will not go quietly, and will not go alone.”

Now let’s backtrack:

Amidst the “fury” of the president on the 2025 bicameral conference committee brouhaha, Zaldy Co was made to resign, and in his place, Marikina’s Stella Quimbo of the “maleta” garage became acting appropriations chair.

The one that got away is grinning, knowing that in his own good time, he can make the heavens fall

The president nevertheless signed the 6.35 trillion-peso GAA, on Dec. 30, 2024.

On Feb. 5, 2025, the GAA which contained allocations of hefty pork slabs became the ostensible inducement for 215 congressmen to outdo each other in signing the articles of impeachment against the vice-president, with the first signature slot reserved for the presidential son, mismo!

At about the same time, Elizaldy Co fled the country, sighted in the US of A, in Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, and now, Czechia, and, as reported by Auntie Kler, in gay Paree where he seeks political asylum.

That great escape has taken 15 months and counting, with cameo appearances on social media pointing to the ex-speaker, and the president himself as recipients of largesse stuffed in “ maletas” from the “kaban ng bayan,” delivered by Guteza, 18 ex-soldiers and more, with Zaldy claiming he got nothing for himself.

Just as the Bitrics committee is regaling us with their demolition job on the vicepresident for some half a billion pesos in “unexplained CIF,” digging way back into covered bank transactions from 2005, the Ombudsman files long-expected charges against some “big fish.”

Whether these will prosper, and for how long, in a land where justice is dispensed exceedingly slow for big shots yet quickly against ordinary folks, the jaded public awaits with skepticism.

Meanwhile, the one that got away is grinning, knowing that in his own good time, he can make the heavens fall.

Another brewing coup attempt?

IN A recent social media posting, Senator Ping Lacson revealed there is another attempt by military retirees to instigate a coup and are now busy recruiting from active serving uniformed personnel.

We do not know the veracity of this information but since it is coming from someone who is not prone to throwing unsubstantiated information irresponsibly, we have to take his expose seriously and investigate. Who are these retirees and what their motives are. Are they for instance, doing it purely out of a misguided patriotic sense of duty or perhaps aligned to a political group that simply wants to replace the current duly elected government.

Part of the reason given by Senator Lacson was that these military retirees are so disgusted with what is going on with the current government due to the flood control corruption scandal and that, in their estimation, there needs to be a change.

But have they really given this plan of theirs much thought whether a military takeover will solve the problem or simply make it worse?

Do they realize for example that in the occasions when two presidential terms were cut short by popular uprisings, not one group succeeded in doing it?

In the 1986 EDSA uprising, the military did not succeed until the civil society joined them due to the instigation of the late Cardinal Sin.

In the second EDSA uprising in 2001, the civil society which initiated the move

also did not succeed until the military were convinced to join the revolt.

The Philippine model therefore that has developed is basically a tactical alliance between two groups with varying political ideologies temporarily joining together for a common purpose.

This model is so unlike some of our neighbors like Thailand and Myanmar

They should think again because this will not succeed and is blatantly illegal

whose military can basically just take over and govern themselves.

If these military retirees are now thinking that this is very doable here and can be accomplished by a military unit simply marching to the Malacanang, to depose the president and govern by themselves, they should think again.

This is because this will not succeed and is blatantly illegal.

In addition, they should know that it is not only a matter of taking over the government but they have to contend with how to legitimize what they did which is the harder thing to execute.

In the two instances when this happened to us, the process of legitimization

Turning point for fossil fuel phaseout

DEVELOPING countries like the Philippines can expect concrete, actionable pathways for a “just transition” away from fossil fuels, following a six-day meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia ending today, Manila time.

Many see the summit a turning point coming at a fossil fuel phaseout meeting in Colombia.

They have described the meeting as a rare opportunity to break the “fossil fuel mindset” -- and as the Iran war roils energy markets, it spotlights the risks of coal, oil and gas dependence.

The summit, which focused on securing, grants-based, and non-debtcreating financing to fund renewable energy projects aimed to address high electricity costs and climate vulnerability which hopefully came out with a “menu of solutions” to inform future Conference of the Parties negotiations.

The Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries are using this platform to emphasize the urgency of energy sovereignty and to advocate for a formal Fossil Fuel Treaty.

The Philippine Movement for Cli-

mate Justice is demanding that these discussions lead to an immediate,

The Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries are using this platform to emphasize the urgency of energy sovereignty and to advocate for a formal Fossil Fuel Treaty

fair, and funded transition, emphasizing that the country has a high potential for renewable energy but needs massive investment to move away from fossil fuels.

By Herman Tiu Laurel

THE United States continues to pursue the 1992 Wolfowitz Doctrine of “unipolarity, unilateralism, and preventive military action to maintain global hegemony” – expanding the West Asia conflict to Asia in expanding its Iran blockade to the Indo-Pacific.

It has exposed its real strategic intention –blockade of oil and trade on Asia and China.

Observers can see the continuing Asia proxy war Washington is pursuing in its Asian client states Japan and the Philippines.

The build-up in the Philippines is particularly alarming, with nine acknowledged US military bases and Typhon missile launcher but also with 10 dual-use assets – piers, ports, radar sites, ammo and oil depots, transport corridors.

The US has also revealed a plan to sequester 2,000 hectares of Philippine territory in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) like the New Clark City in Tarlac, convert this into “the Pax Silica industrial hub, designated as an ‘AI-native investment acceleration hub’ for semiconductors and clean energy supply chains.”

This is a “security zone designed to be extraterritorial in nature, operate under US common law, with personnel receiving immunity similar to that of US Embassy staff.”

An industrial hub that requires extraterritoriality. i.e. “legal exemption of foreign states, international organizations, their representatives, or specific assets from the local laws and jurisdiction of a host country... operates as a legal fiction, protecting diplomats, embassies, warships, and sometimes corporations from local judicial processes or police interference.”

It looks more like the 9-km sq. security “Green Zone” of the US in Iraq in the aftermath of the Iraq War than any industrial zone for economic enterprise.

Looking at the suspicious conditions the Americans are imposing for the proposed project, we get cynical.

The demand for extraterritoriality and immunity from Philippine laws for its per-

was pretty straight forward. In 1986, Cory Aquino was declared the election winner and the military relinquished the power voluntarily and immediately.

In 2001, the Vice President took over the reins of government as mandated by the Constitution because of the resignation of the president. Furthermore, there seems to be no appetite nor any evidence that the rank and file of the military and police are willing to take part.

Neither is the civil society eager to take part which is crucial. Planning or simply thinking of mounting a coup in times of economic hardship is also foolhardy.

The Philippines has high expectations the meeting were able to discuss overcoming economic dependency on fossil fuels, aiming for massive funding to facilitate the transition in the Global South.

Developing nations particularly hold high hopes the meeting was able to introduce a new scientific advisory panel dedicated to developing customized, locally relevant “road maps” for an energy transition.

Observers have noted the conference had intended to move beyond abstract promises, looking to develop “just transition” strategies that address energy security and economic dependence on volatile imported fuels, a major issue for the Philippines. This initiative involves over 50 countries, including the Philippines, to create a fast and equitable move towards 100 percent renewable energy.

The outcomes from this meeting will directly inform the COP31 Climate Change Conference in Turkey, offering a direct mechanism for implementing a fossil fuel phase-out.

PH endangered by Project ‘Pax Cynical’

sonnel in the zone means they intend to do things not legal under Philippine laws. We have had violations of Philippine laws in the US military bases in the Philippines in the past half century, including rapes and murders. We can think of worse violations, like storage of nukes!

Pax Silica briefers enumerate project objectives as infrastructure, establishment of an industrial hub within the LEC, complementation of defense ties focusing on economic security in the AI and semiconductor sectors, and an initiative of the US State Department to reduce “coercive dependencies” in critical technology supply chains.

‘There is no doubt that Pax Silica is really meant for the US war effort’

In 2023 the US pressured the Philippine government to cancel many infra projects funded by China like the Subic-Clark rail that formed part of the LEC.

(Editor’s Note: The Philippines formally withdrew from loan negotiations with China for the Subic-Clark Railway and other major projects in 2023, primarily citing Beijing’s failure to provide funding and inordinate delays.) There will be many obstacles to the realization of this Pax Silica: the Constitutional and legal ones. I have referred the questions to our legal counsel but while waiting for the competent legal professionals’ studied opinion I have some observations: the grant of extraterritoriality to another country can only be done through a treaty or international agreement ratified by the Senate, and the Pax Silica project cannot be made to fit into the Mutual Defense Treaty or EDCA

(Editor’s Note EDCA is the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 2014 Philippine-US military agreement allowing

And although some retired military personnel especially those who recently held senior positions while in active service may be held in high esteem, they no longer command troops. In addition, the current crop of military and police leaders have a mind of their own. Fortunately, finding out those people who are instigating this destabilization move should not be that difficult. Our cyber security people should be able to track these people thru the many existing military chat groups in the internet and perhaps the golf courses. It should be very interesting to know why they cannot simply let go of their desire to get involved in politics which is an

rotational access for US forces to designated Armed Forces of the Philippines bases, and enhances maritime security, disaster response and AFP modernization through infrastructure improvements at nine agreedupon locations.)

Another consideration is ASEAN which is “actively developing a regional approach to Artificial Intelligence focused on fostering innovation, interoperability, and ethical governance while bridging development gaps among member states” to enhance ASEAN Centrality, which include agreements such as: ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024); ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap (2025–2030); Declaration on the Establishment of an ASEAN AI Safety Network (ASEAN AI SAFE); Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics – Generative AI. The peasant-farmer movement Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas opposes this: “The proposed hub is designed to ‘shore up supply chains’ for minerals and electronics ... function as an export-oriented enclave, prioritizing foreign firms’ access to land, water, and energy resources... There is no doubt that Pax Silica is really meant for the US war effort. It lays the foundation through critical minerals and then pushes production to meet the needs of the US in its warfare.”

Dan Steinbock, a strategist of the multipolar world, has described the Pax Silica as making the Philippines into a frontline state in the US “Forever Wars.”

“The Philippines is no longer struggling with just huge corruption scandals and economic pressures. Pax Silica could turn it into a frontline state — like Taiwan. with the USled Pax Silica framework, the Philippines is becoming a dual-use platform where military strategy and supply-chain restructuring are converging.”

For me, it’s Pax Cynical.

(A broadcast journalist, the writer supports Philippines-China understanding and organized the Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies think tank dedicated to promoting global multi-polarity.)

area they were never trained for. Participating in the overthrow of a duly elected government is also a serious crime that could land them in jail.

My advice to these people as a retired old fogy like them is that it’s time to let go and let the younger generation of military and police leaders do their own thing and hope that they will do a better job. They should not further complicate what is already a very complicated situation by making it worse.

They should also stop thinking that they know more than the younger generation of uniformed personnel and just accept that the better way to remove corrupt officials is not to vote for them anymore.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2025

King Charles, Trump toast ties

WASHINTON, DC – Britain’s King Charles and Donald Trump hailed their countries’ longstanding ties at a White House state dinner Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) -- despite the US president claiming the monarch agreed with him on Iran’s nuclear weapons.

stick together, without directly mentioning the tensions over the US-Israeli war with Tehran.

But in his toast to a gala dinner attended by tech titans and golfer Rory

McIlroy, Trump made his first public comments on the sensitive topic during the four-day visit by the British royals.

“We have militarily defeated that particular opponent,” Trump said at the White House dinner. “Charles agrees with me even more than I do -- we’re never going to let that opponent have a

nuclear weapon.”

Trump has repeatedly lambasted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his opposition to the Iran war, and there is no indication that King Charles has shown support for the US leader’s stance.

Nevertheless, both leaders strongly praised the “special relationship” between Britain and Washington, putting aside however briefly the transatlantic tensions.

In his toast, Charles said he was “here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security.”

Yet Charles pointedly mentioned the importance of international alliances like

NATO that Trump has repeatedly disparaged -- and called for continued support for Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion.

“Together, we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world,” he added.

The menu for the lavish dinner included a garden vegetable veloute, spring herbed ravioli and Dover sole meuniere, followed by a White House honey and vanilla bean cremeux.

Invited guests included Apple boss Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and two-time Masters-winning golfer Rory McIlroy, who was born in Northern Ireland. AFP

Thai ex-PM Thaksin to be released from prison next month

BANGKOK – Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be released early from prison next month, the corrections department said on Wednesday.

Thaksin, 76, has been serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption since September.

The telecoms billionaire will be freed on May 11 and will “need to comply with all conditions” until his probation ends, including wearing an electronic monitor, the department said in a statement.

His age and the fact that he had less than a year left to serve justified his early release, it added.

Thaksin’s political clan has for two decades been a key foe of Thailand’s promilitary, pro-royalty elite who view their populist brand as a threat to the traditional social order.

His Pheu Thai party, and its earlier iterations, was Thailand’s most successful political party of the 21st century, with the Shinawatra family producing four prime ministers and drawing widespread support from the rural masses.

But Pheu Thai had its worst election result ever in February, slipping to third place and raising questions about the future of Thaksin’s political machine.

Yet Pheu Thai’s inclusion in the ruling coalition of conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has left open the possibility of a political comeback.

Thaksin’s nephew and Pheu Thai’s prime minister candidate, Yodchanan Wongsawat, was given the position of minister of higher education in Anutin’s Cabinet.

Thaksin is serving his sentence in a Bangkok prison after the Supreme Court ruled last year that he improperly served a 2023 sentence in a hospital suite rather than a cell. AFP

Pentagon chief to testify on Iran war, stalled peace

WASHINTON, DC – Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will make his first testimony before Congress on the Mideast war Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time), as efforts to end the conflict stalled with the United States reportedly skeptical of Tehran’s latest offer to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has blockaded the waterway -- a vital conduit for oil and gas shipments -since the start of the US-Israeli offensive two months ago, sending shockwaves through the global economy.

US officials did not dispute accounts

by CNN and The Wall Street Journal that US President Donald Trump was skeptical of the proposal. During a White House state dinner Tuesday, Trump told Britain’s King Charles III and other guests that Iran has been “militarily defeated.”

He added that “Charles agrees with me even more than I do -- we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”

But an Iranian army spokesman told state TV on Tuesday that “we do not consider the war to be over,” saying Tehran

had “no trust in America.”

“We have many cards that we have not yet used... new tools and methods of fighting based on the experiences of the past two wars, which will definitely allow us to respond to the enemy more decisively” should the fighting resume, Amir Akraminia said in an interview.

Efforts to end the war have stalled in recent days, with Vice President JD Vance last week preparing to fly to Pakistan for new talks but then staying home. AFP

LARGE-SCALE FIRES. A Ukrainian police officer (right), assisted by another man, carries a plastic bag containing drone debris at the site of a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, on Tuesday, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A Russian drone attack killed one woman in the northeastern Ukraine border region of Sumy, local military officials said Wednesday. AFP

PM’s ex-top aide takes stand as key witness at graft trial

The trial of Jose Luis Abalos is just one of several investigations into alleged corruption by Sanchez’s family and ex-political allies that have rocked an already fragile minority coalition. Abalos, a former transport minister and Socialist heavyweight who helped propel Sanchez to power in 2018, is accused of earning kickbacks for the irregular awarding of contracts for face masks at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court in Madrid is also due to hear his former adviser Koldo Garcia and businessman Victor de Aldama for their alleged roles in the

SK court hikes ex-president’s sentence for obstruction

SEOUL – A South Korean appeals court increased the sentence of jailed former president Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday to seven years for obstructing justice, up from five years. A lower court had handed Yoon the initial sentence in January after he was found to have used presidential security agents to block his own arrest. Both Yoon and the prosecution lodged appeals -- he argued that the arrest warrants against him were based on an “unlawful investigation”, while special prosecutors said his punishment should be 10 years given his “egregious” crimes.

“The court sentences the defendant to seven years in prison,” a judge at the Seoul High Court said on Wednesday, calling Yoon’s actions “highly reprehensible”.

“The defendant not only sought to obstruct the lawful execution of warrants by prosecutors and others,” he said in his verdict.

“(He) also issued unlawful instructions to public officials of the presidential security service, who are national civil servants, attempting to use them as if they were private guards for his personal protection.”

Yoon, who appeared in court wearing a black suit and white shirt, showed little emotion as he listened to the verdict. The appeals court also upheld his conviction for abuse of power for excluding cabinet members from a meeting to plan the imposition of martial law. It overturned his acquittal by a lower court of abuse of power for ordering his defence of the martial law declaration to be distributed to foreign media. AFP

NZ officials reject statue for Japan’s sex slaves

WELLINGTON – New Zealand officials rejected on Wednesday an application to install a statue commemorating so-called “comfort women” enslaved by Japan before and during World War II after Tokyo suggested it could harm diplomatic relations.

Japan forced up to 200,000 women from Korea, China and southeast Asia including the Philippines into sexual slavery from 1932 until 1945 and the issue remains a sore point in Tokyo’s relations with its neighbors.

The Korean Garden Trust had sought to install a statue honoring the survivors at Barry’s Point Reserve in the Auckland suburb of Takapuna. But after public consultation the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board declined an application to install the statue.

“This was a difficult decision, and one we did not make lightly,” board chair Trish Deans said. AFP

Europe climate report signals rising extremes

PARIS – Europe endured a historic heatwave across Nordic countries, shrinking glaciers and record sea temperatures in 2025 as the fast-warming continent faces more frequent climate extremes, a new report showed Wednesday.

“The climate indicators ... are quite worrying,” Mauro Facchini, a European Commission official, told journalists.

The European State of the Climate report underscores the urgent need for the region to adapt to global warming and accelerate its transition to clean energy, another EU official said. Here are some key findings of the report published by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO):

At least 95 percent of the region experienced above-average annual temperatures, with Britain, Norway and Iceland recording their warmest year on record, according to the report. AFP

Sexual violence in Sudan triggers health crisis: UN GENEVA – The widespread use of rape and other sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan has spurred a massive mental health crisis, United Nations agencies and local aid groups warned. The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been

in a

conflict since April 2023 that has

of

and displaced around 11

people. Medical

Doctors Without Borders last month said at least 3,396

vivors of sexual violence -- nearly all of them women and girls -- sought treatment at facilities it supports in North and South Darfur between January 2024 and November 2025. But the World Health Organization said Tuesday that the high numbers were likely just the “tip of the iceberg”.

“Accessing services when you are raped is very, very challenging,” Avni Amin, head of WHO’s gender-based violence unit, told an event at the UN in Geneva, focused on Sudan’s humanitarian and health emergency. AFP

PH poised for best finish in Sanya Asian Beach tilt

SANYA, China — The Philippines slipped to fourth place overall Wednesday but is on track for its best finish in the Asian Beach Games with medal hopes very much alive in 3x3 basketball here.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, the official medal tally of the 6th edition of the ABG showed Team Philippines at No. 4 with three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, with Iran surging to third with a 7-0-0 collection.

Thailand carries a 9-8-5 haul for second while host China leads all the 44 other countries with 21 gold, 14 silver, and eight bronze.

The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 men team was playing the Thais in the semifinals of the cage tilt at press time at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium. Ditto with the women’s squad which was battling Singapore also in the semis.

Team Philippines’ drive in this resort city is supported by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.

With only the finals of handball slated, the closing ceremonies are scheduled Thursday with the hosting flag set to be turned over to the Philippines as it will host the 7th ABG in Cebu two years from now.

Before the return of the continental showpiece this year, the Philippines’ highest ranking in the ABG was in 2012 in Haiyang, China where the Pi-

noy bets wound up 11th overall with a pair of silver and bronze medals.

In sport climbing, coach John Aquino heaped praises on the national squad that saw John Forones break a Philippine record.

“We saw their hard work. We had three boot camps in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand,” Aquino said after Forones finished his campaign along with Juan Miguel Azupardo in the men’s relay qualification at the Tianya Haijiao Venue Cluster.

“We were able to put up our own speed wall through the support of the PCI (Pilipinas Climbing) and the POC, and we were able to break a national record.”

Forones broke the 7.5 seconds record of Azupardo set in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December in Thailand with a time of 6.08 seconds in the men’s individual qual-

PFF National Championship starts in Negros Occidental

YOUTH development takes center stage this summer as the 2026 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National U16–U19 Boys’ Championship officially kicks off on April 29, 2026, in Negros Occidental, gathering the country’s most promising young talents from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The national competition serves as the pinnacle of youth football development in the country, with top clubs representing their respective Regional Football Associations (RFAs) vying for youth supremacy. This year’s staging underscores the PFF’s sustained commitment to strengthening its grassroots ecosystem and building a robust pipeline for future national team players.

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez emphasized the impor-

ifying round for 28th overall Tuesday. The wrestling delegation was unable to adapt to the sands as six bets missed out on medals in the 6th Asian Beach Games, dropping out in the preliminaries late Tuesday at the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club here.

NUNS faces UST, Bacolod Tay Tung battles FEU-D in Final 4

DEFENDING champion National University Nazareth School survived a serious scare from feisty St. John’s Institute, 20-25, 32-30, 15-12, to book a Final Four ticket in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 on Wednesday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.

Xyz Rayco’s clutch plays rescued the Lady Bullpups in the tightly contested second set before NUNS banked on a decisive run in the third frame to complete a thrilling escape and remain on the hunt for a repeat crown.

The reigning UAAP champion unleashed six straight points to build a 9-5 lead in the third set after trailing by two points. Caera Celis willed SJI back and closed the gap, 13-11, before Raine Alonzo put NUNS at match point.

Celis saved a point for SJI but Jhaynna Bulandres sealed the onehour, 31-minute win for the Lady Bullpups with a booming kill.

“Sobang hirap nilang kalaban kasi marunong din sila pero ‘yung mindset namin is to stay focused sa court and teamwork palagi,” said

Rayco, who had 12 points on 11 kills and an ace.

Bulandres had 12 points while Alonzo added nine markers for

ON Saturday, May 2, at the Tokyo Dome, Naoya Inoue faces Junto Nakatani in a rare allJapanese super-fight that carries real weight. This is not just about world titles or undefeated records. This is about control of an era and the direction of Japanese boxing on the world stage.

Inoue comes in as the proven elite. He is a pressure fighter, but not the reckless kind. His offense is built on timing, positioning, and punch selection. He cuts off the ring with purpose, stepping laterally instead of chasing.

Once Inoue closes the distance, he goes to work with compact combinations, mixing head and body with precision. His left hook to the

NUNS, which will battle University of Santo Tomas on Thursday in the knockout semifinal of the country’s biggest grassroots volleyball league

backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.

Rayco accounted for three of the Lady Bullpups five match points saved in the extended second set.

NUNS got its second set point advantage, 30-29, before Kristel Mirasol knotted the game at 30 on a kill. Alonzo scored off an attack and SJI surrendered the frame with a net fault infraction, sending the match into a decider.

Celis had 19 points on 16 kills, two kill blocks and an ace to pace SJI.

On the other hand, the Junior Golden Tigresses swept King’s Montessori School, 25-19, 25-21, to enter the semis.

Last year’s runner-up Bacolod Tay Tung advanced to the Final Four at the expense of 2024 champion Adamson University, 25-21, 25-21.

Rhose Almendralejo led the Thunderbolts’ charge with 16 points on 11 kills and five aces.

Bacolod Tay Tung will square off with Far Eastern University-Diliman, which eliminated Immaculada Conception College, 25-11, 25-17, in the next round.

tance of the youth championships in shaping the future of Philippine football:

“The National U16–U19 Championship is a cornerstone of our youth development program, providing young players a platform to compete at the highest level and represent their regions with pride. Through competitions like this, we continue to build a strong foundation for the future of Philippine football.”

The 2026 edition marks a historic milestone with the introduction of the inaugural U16 division, featuring ten RFAs competing in a structured group stage followed by knockout rounds. Matches will be held at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Bago City, where young talents will showcase their skills in a highly competitive environment.

PH para bets get incentives after record ASEAN stint

By Randy M. Caluag

PHILIPPINE para athletes re -

ceived cash incentives on Tuesday following a record-breaking performance at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, marking a significant milestone for disability sports in the country.

The ceremony, held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, honored a 211-member delegation that secured the nation’s best-ever finish in the regional competition held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, in January.

The Philippines finished fourth overall in the standings, tallying 45 gold, 37 silver, and 52 bronze medals across 13 sports.

“We’re here today to celebrate the honor and glory our para athletes have brought to the Filipino people,” said Michael Barredo, president of the Philippine Paralympic Committee-PHILSPADA.

Barredo credited the government for its “unwavering support,” specifically citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The event highlighted a shifting landscape for para sports in the Philippines. Adeline Dumapong, the country’s first Paralympic medalist who won bronze in powerlifting at the 2000 Sydney Games, said the level of state recognition has improved drastically.

“I am encouraged by the significant improvements in incentives and benefits now being received by members of the national para team,” Dumapong said.

Under Philippine law, national athletes and coaches receive mandatory cash incentives for medals won in international competitions.

PSC chairman Pato Gregorio and Senator Bong Go, head of the Senate Committee on Sports, attended the ceremony to discuss further legislative support and long-term programs for both current and retired para athletes.

Inoue vs. Nakatani: Dissecting the dynamics

liver and straight right hand are among the most effective weapons in boxing today.

What separates Inoue is his ability to break opponents down. He invests in body punching early, which pays off in the later rounds. It slows movement, lowers the guard, and creates openings upstairs. However, his aggressive approach also presents openings. When he commits to exchanges, his defense can loosen, and that is where a sharp counterpuncher can find success.

Nakatani is exactly that kind of threat. He is a tall southpaw who operates best at long range. His style is based on distance control, using his jab to measure and his straight left hand to punish. In an orthodox versus southpaw matchup, that straight left becomes a direct line to the target. If Nakatani times Inoue stepping in, he can land clean. The fight, at its core, is about range. If Naka-

tani keeps the fight at a long distance, he dictates the pace. If Inoue gets inside, the fight shifts in his favor. This is where footwork becomes critical. Inoue will try to step outside Nakatani’s lead foot to create angles for his right hand. Nakatani will aim to maintain his own lead foot position to keep his left hand lined up.

Another key factor is inside fighting. Inoue is proven in close range. He is comfortable throwing short hooks, uppercuts, and body shots in tight spaces. Nakatani, while skilled, has not been fully tested in prolonged inside exchanges against someone with Inoue’s power and accuracy. If Nakatani gets trapped along the ropes, he could be forced into a fight he does not want. Body work could be the turning point. Inoue’s approach is systematic. He does not rush for a knockout. He builds it. Repeated shots to the midsection can reduce Nakatani’s mobility, which is essential to his style. Once his movement slows, his reach

advantage becomes less effective. Nakatani’s best chance is discipline. He must control the center of the ring, use his jab consistently, and avoid extended exchanges. He needs to land the straight left clean and often, then reset before Inoue can respond. It requires focus for 12 rounds, which is difficult against a pressure fighter who constantly forces action. Experience also leans toward Inoue. He has been in high-stakes fights and has shown he can adjust under pressure. Nakatani has the skill set, but this is a different level of intensity, especially in a venue like the Tokyo Dome. Expect Nakatani to have success early. His reach and timing should allow him to land from the outside. But as the rounds progress, Inoue’s pressure and body attack are likely to take effect. Once he starts closing the gap consistently, the dynamic changes.

Prediction: Naoya Inoue by way of technical knockout in the middle to late rounds.

CALATAGAN (Powered by PLDT Home)—Syrian teenager Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai of Life Cycles (LCW) emerged victorious in Stage 1 of the 2026 Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Tour of Luzon, ruling the gruelling 150-kilometer opener with a dramatic 1-2 finish alongside Russian teammate Nikita Shulchenko.

The two crossed the line hand-in-hand at the Tagaytay City Praying Hands, clocking three hours, 36 minutes, and 35 seconds, with British rider Douglas Tyler Hannay of Excellent Noodles Cycling Team finishing third, nearly two minutes behind.

Alrefai’s triumph earned him the coveted yellow jersey as the general classification leader, holding a foursecond advantage over Shulchenko after bonus seconds were applied.

“I was amazed by my local teammates.

GenSan seizes top spot; Pasay, Quezon City win

THE GenSan Warriors battered Bacolod Masskara, 108-77, on Tuesday and shared the lead in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.

All 14 Warriors fielded scored as they led as far as 106-72 before cruising to win No. 4, the same as Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

Mark Cruz paced Gensan with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Kyle Tolentino, with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Christopher Masaglang, with 12 points and 5 rebounds, and Anton Eusebio, with 10 points and 3 rebounds.

With Marwin Dionisio snaring 9 rebounds, and Larry Rodriguez, Ryan Jay Arenal and CJ Gonzales grabbing six each, the Warriors ruled the boards, 55-40, and tallied more second chance points, 24-4. Bacolod skidded to 1-3 despite the 20-point, 9-rebound, 2-assist output of Hance Lleva, 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from Emman Galman, and 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from Dandelio Enrile.

The Quezon City Black Bulls rallied to beat the Marikina Shoemasters, 85-79, in the opener, while the Pasay Voyagers derailed the Bataan Risers, 93-78, in the nightcap.

Christian Fajarito drilled in a dagger 3 with 1 minute and 16 seconds left to thwart the Risers’ comeback, 87-74, and level the Voyagers’ slate at 2-2. It was Cyril Gonzales, however, who clinched the SportsPlus best player honors with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals for Pasay. Lennard Santiago supported with 16 points and 2 rebounds, Steve Nash Enriquez, with 14 points and 4 assists, and Fajarito, with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Bataan, which tumbled to 3-1, got 17 points and 5 rebounds from Robbi Darang, 12 points and 4 rebounds from Hubert Cani, and 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists from Edrian Ramirez.

They really supported us, and so glad to get our first ever stage victory here in the Philippines,” said Alrefai, 19.

The stage, which started from the scenic Calatagan South Beach, proved punishing for local riders. Go for Gold’s Jericho Jay Lucero battled through a crash at the 40-kilometer mark to still place fourth alongside teammate Rench Michael Bondoc.

Defending champion Joo Dae Yeong finished 15th, while Ronald Oranza of

Standard Insurance Philippines ended at 37th as foreign riders dominated the opening stage.

A total of 112 cyclists completed the stage.

PSC Backs Tour as Sports Tourism Driver

Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) reaffirmed its strong backing of the race, highlighting its role

IRONMAN 5150 Camiguin hogs spotlight

THE Philippines’ bold push to establish itself as a premier global destination for endurance sports shifts into high gear this weekend as the IRONMAN 5150 Camiguin headlines the second leg of the inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series – an ambitious, multi-stop circuit designed to fuse elite competition with tourism promotion across the country’s most breathtaking island landscapes. Fresh off a successful inaugurals in Guimaras, the series continues on Sunday (May 3) in Camiguin, where a deep international field is set to test their limits in Olympic-distance racing amid one of the nation’s most scenic backdrops. More than just a race, the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run event underscores a coordinated national effort to elevate the country’s sporting profile while showcasing its natural assets to a global audience.

Syrian takes Stage 1; PSC backs tour as tourism driver

as a major platform for sports tourism.

PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio expressed optimism about the Tour’s growing impact, especially with the participation of six foreign teams despite ongoing global challenges.

“The great revival we ignited in 2025 is now in full motion in 2026. Salamat to MPTC and to all who stand behind this iconic cycling race,’’ said Gregorio during the flag-off ceremony. He emphasized that the event showcases the strength of collaboration between sectors.

“This event is a shining example of how sports thrive when the public and private sectors collaborate,” he added.

“The PSC is proud to champion the Tour of Luzon 2026—one of the pillars of our sports tourism program, and a symbol of our nation’s momentum in global cycling.”

NU keeps ‘6-peat’ dream alive, sets FEU rematch

NATIONAL University’s “six-peat” dream remains alive after the secondseeded Bulldogs overpowered thirdranked University of Santo Tomas, 2521, 30-28, 25-19, to book their spot in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs will face top-ranked Far Eastern University in a best-ofthree Finals showdown, rekindling a familiar rivalry after NU clinched its fifth straight title last season at the expense of FEU.

This also marks NU’s 11th consecutive Finals appearance dating back to Season 75 (2013).

“Sobrang thankful ako sa players ko na pumunta sila dito na ang mindset nila ay kunin ‘yung game… Sobrang happy sa naging performance although

Bautista rallies, Espedido dominates at

BAGUIO—avie Bautista and Mavis Espedido completed their steady rise from contenders to champions, capturing the 11-14 titles in contrasting fashion at the ICTSI John Hay Junior PGT Championship here on Wednesday.

Bautista staged a brilliant comeback in the boys’ division, overcoming a strong field and a seven-stroke deficit to secure a thrilling one-stroke victory over Vito Sarines after a brilliant 65, while Espedido dominated the girls’ side from the outset, cruising to a wireto-wire six-stroke triumph over a latecharging Ronee Dungca despite a 74 at the par-69 John Hay layout.

After a third-place finish at Summit Point, Bautista finally broke through –and did so in stirring fashion. Entering the final round seven shots behind Sarines, he trailed for much of the day before unleashing a decisive run of three straight birdies to close, then watched as Jacob Casuga faltered down the stretch.

Casuga had appeared in control, firing a four-under card through 12

Spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission and supported by the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Council and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the series reflects a strategic vision: positioning the country as a world-class venue where high-level competition meets destination travel.

Organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., the four-leg circuit brings together seasoned triathletes and rising endurance stars in races that demand not only speed and strength but also adaptability to diverse island terrains.

The Camiguin leg marks a significant milestone, as the province hosts an event of this scale for the first time. Known for its volcanic landscapes, coastal roads and lush scenery, the island offers a race environment that is as visually stunning as it is physically demanding – an ideal showcase for both sport and tourism.

Filipina standout Bea Quiambao returns to lead the charge after a strong showing in Guimaras, where she shared top honors with Irienold Reig Jr., who will skip this leg. Quiambao faces a stacked field featuring competitors from 13 countries, highlighting the growing international appeal of the serie s.

siyempre ‘yung naging problema rin ng UST mas marami silang unforced errors kaya nakabwelo kami,” said seven-time champion coach Dante Alinsunurin, as NU capitalized on UST’s 27 unforced errors.

Vryvin Catinsag pushed the Golden Spikers to set point in the second frame, 28-27, after a quick attack capped by a “bang bang” celebration directed at the Bulldogs. Josh Ybañez, however, committed a service error in the next play to tie the set at 28-all. NU middle blocker Obed Mukaba then delivered a quick hit of his own, celebrating with a primal scream before Dux Yambao was called for a net touch on the next sequence, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 2-0 set lead. From there, National University took full control, routing UST in the third set as Jade Disquitado, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales combined to seal the victory and the Finals berth.

who carded a 141 after a 73, while Casuga settled for a 69 and slipped to third at 142.

“My game was really good, and I’m proud of myself because it was my personal best,” said Bautista, 13, reflecting on his final-round heroics.

“I struggled with my chipping –everything was coming up short –but I managed to put it all together at the finish, including a chip-in for birdie on the 17th,” he added. Bautista came into the third leg of the Luzon Series well-prepared, having trained at the Junior Asian Golf Academy in Thailand to improve his approach shots, which he said had been the biggest weakness in his game.

“This win means a lot, especially since I dedicate it to my mom, who is celebrating her birthday this month,” said Bautista. He capped his strong finish with a solid 8-iron tee shot on the par-3 No. 18, setting up the winning putt from six feet.

5.4% 3% 4.4%

GDP growth in Q1 of 2025

GDP growth in Q4 of 2025

GDP growth in 2025

SM Investments’ first-quarter profit rose 7% to P21.5b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE SM Invest-

ments Corp. (SMIC) said Wednesday its first-quarter consolidated net income rose 7 percent to P21.5 billion, supported by steady growth in its core banking, real estate and retail businesses. The company’s net income increased from P20.1 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues for the January to March period grew 5 percent to P159.4 billion from P152 billion a year earlier.

“The first quarter continued to deliver good results for us, especially in retail,” SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said.

“We are aware of external challenges and will endeavor to maintain our performance by being disciplined on costs and focused on meeting consumer needs even when their spending is constrained,” he said.

Banking served as the group’s largest earnings contributor, accounting for 49 percent of total net income. Property followed at 28 percent, retail at 15 percent and portfolio investments at 8 percent. The retail segment saw SM Retail net income increase 13 percent to P4.1 billion. Non-food categories, including department stores, drove the growth by capitalizing on seasonal demand from graduation-related spending.

Middle East conflict’s impact to slow PH growth

By Thony Rose Lesaca

Pstructive typhoons.

Balisacan said a Middle East-driven oil supply shock recently forced the government to declare a state of national energy emergency.

DUBAI—The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ oil cartels to focus on “national interests”, it announced on Tuesday, causing fresh shockwaves as energy prices soar over the Middle East war.

The UAE, one of the world’s top oil producers, which has previously chafed at OPEC production quotas, will pull out on Friday, a statement carried by the official WAM news agency said.

The UAE has been an OPEC member through the emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1967, four years before the former British protectorate became a country.

The last OPEC member to withdraw from the cartel was Angola in 2024.

“This decision reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile,” the UAE statement said.

“During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all,” it added.

“However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates.”

Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said external shocks and internal recovery efforts are weighing on the national output.

“Given this unforeseen development, we’re trying to recover from the infrastructure issue last year and then we’re hit again by an even more serious problem, it’s understandable

that you can’t expect to be better than what you had in previous quarters,” Balisacan said on the sidelines of the 2026 National Innovation Day.

The economy grew by 3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, resulting in a full-year expansion of 4.4 percent. The slowdown followed a government crackdown on flood control projects and a series of de-

“As you already know, most of our fuel needs, whether in raw or refined fuel, come from the Middle East, directly or indirectly. So, we were affected by the shocks,” Balisacan said.

To mitigate the impact, the government is providing financial support to vulnerable citizens while attempting to maintain economic momentum.

University of Asia and the Pacific senior economist Victor Abola projected the economy will grow by 4.2 percent in 2026, missing the government target of 5 percent to 6 percent.

The decision, in the midst of the biggest oil shock since the 1970s, is likely to weaken OPEC, dominated by the UAE’s neighbour and rival Saudi Arabia, indicating further turbulence for markets, analysts said.

HILIPPINE economic growth is expected to slow in the first quarter of 2026 as the country faces a double blow from the ongoing Middle East conflict and the lingering effects of a major infrastructure corruption scandal. UAE pulls out of OPEC, citing ‘national interests’

Gulf oil shipments are currently being strangled by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which flows past the UAE and normally carries onefifth of the world’s oil.

Given the restrictions on oil shipments in the strait, the UAE did not want to be constrained by quotas once the situation was back to normal, a source close to the energy ministry told AFP. AFP

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing a coordinated, data-driven strategy to shield the farm sector from potential dry conditions linked to a possible El Nino weather pattern later in 2026.

The strategy prioritizes readiness and timely interventions to protect agricultural output and farmer incomes.

DA units and regional offices are collaborating with partner agencies to mitigate the impact of the looming

Roadhouse (TRH) Conrad; Cyril Reyes, director of operations, TRH; Jazz Moralde,

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Tim Getty, vice president of global development group; Mark Stephens, director of international operations; Scott Rutherford, senior director for international operations; Gina Tobin, president of Texas Roadhouse International; Chris Colson, president of Global Development Group; and Jerry Morgan, chief executive of Texas Roadhouse International.

climate phenomenon.

“We are taking early steps to prepare for possible El Nino conditions. This is about readiness and reducing potential impacts on farmers and production,” Rice Industry Development Undersecretary Christopher Morales said.

The DA and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are assessing major irrigation systems, including Magat and the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS). The assessment aims to identify specific areas requiring water

allocation adjustments or supplemental measures.

To guide planting schedules and crop selection, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) are updating climaterisk maps for rainfed and seasonal farming areas. Regional offices are also validating historical climate data to support targeted local responses.

The agency has started prepositioning drought-tolerant seeds, fertilizers and irrigation support. The DA is also

reinforcing crop insurance, credit access and market assistance to stabilize farmer incomes. Authorities are also considering cloud seeding in select areas, depending on technical assessments and atmospheric conditions. To streamline the government response, the DA is reactivating the El Nino Task Force. This aligns with the 2024 El Nino response framework, which the agency is currently refining based on previous field experience to improve planning under various climate scenarios.

Peso slumps to new low of 61.56 a dollar

By Thony Rose Lesaca and Jenniffer B. Austria

THE peso slumped to a record low of 61.567 against the US dollar for a second consecutive day Wednesday as investors weighed the prospect of US interest rates remaining elevated through late 2027.

The local currency weakened by 26.7 centavos from Tuesday’s close of P61.3, according to Bankers Association of the Philippines data. The peso opened at 61.2 and hit an intraday low of 61.67. Market participants attributed the decline to shifting expectations on Federal Reserve policy.

“This view has been fueled by market expectations that the first Fed rate cut might come in as late as December 2027. The local currency might appreciate tomorrow from potentially dovish remarks in view of incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh,” a trader said in an email. The trader projected the exchange rate would fluctuate between 61.40 and 61.65 in the next session. While the currency struggled, the

Philippine Stock Exchange index snapped a five-day losing streak to close above the 5,900 level. The benchmark index rose 41.10 points, or 0.70 percent, to close at 5,907.89, while the broader all-shares index gained 23.20 points, or 0.70 percent, to 3,343.60.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said the market rebounded as investors hunted for bargains. Foreign inflows totaling P280 million also supported the recovery, ending a 13-day selling streak.

Sector performance remained mixed.

Services led the gains with a 1.33 percent increase, followed by industrials at 1.29 percent and financials at 0.32 percent. Property stocks slipped 0.08 percent, while mining and oil and holding firms fell 0.06 percent and 0.03 percent respectively.

Trading remained active with value turnover reaching P6.61 billion. ACEN Corp. led the index gainers, rising 4.14 percent to P2.77. China Banking Corp. ended as the worst performer, dropping 5.95 percent to P60.10 due to heavy local selling.

risk losing First Gen

THE government pension funds face billions of pesos in potential investment losses due to “poison pill” provisions at energy firm First Gen Corp. that majority members of the Lopez group say protect management at the expense of shareholders.

The Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) stand to see the value of their holdings erode if the provisions are triggered, the Lopez majority said in a statement. Based on the April 28 closing price of P16.86, SSS holds investments worth more than P1 billion while GSIS holds nearly P1 billion. Global investment firm KKR holds shares worth P12 billion through HSBC.

(IBC)

NTC CASE NO. 2026-014 NOTICE OF HEARING

Applicant, INTERCONTINENTAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (IBC), is a nonchartered government owned and controlled corporation engaged in the business of broadcasting and communications with congressional franchise under Republic Act. No. 8954, which grants it the privilege to operate local TV and radio stations in pursuit of its business all over the country, requests for the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) to install, operate and maintain a 10,000 WATTS ERP FM STATION in PAGADIAN CITY.

Applicant, further requests for the issuance of a Provisional Authority (PA) pending final determination of the application.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on MAY 18, 2026 (MONDAY) at eleven o'clock in the morning (11:00 A.M.) at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, National Telecommunications Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, via zoom hearing; wherein applicant shall present its compliance with the Commission's jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted.

In lieu of face to face hearing, a virtual hearing shall be conducted. A link to join the virtual hearing will be sent to your e-mail address on the same day of hearing at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. In connection to this, you are hereby ordered to send your e-mail address through legal@ntc.gov.ph and secretariat@ntc.gov.ph

However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or non-working day due to force majeure, the said hearing shall be held on the NEXT regular working day.

At least fifteen (15) days before the date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission.

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and must file its verified opposition, on or before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the part of any affected party to file its opposition on time and to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

Please see the “Interim Guidelines of the Proceedings before the NTC Legal Branch during the Public Health Emergency” available in our website, www.ntc.gov.ph. For more information, please contact the Legal Branch (89243746) (legal@ntc.gov.ph) and Commission Secretariat (89243738) (secretariat@ntc.gov.ph)

WITNESS, the HON. ELLA BLANCA B. LOPEZ, Commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission, this 13th day of APRIL 2026.

The Lopez majority said SSS and GSIS should have opposed the measures because they benefit only First Gen chairman and chief executive Federico “Piki” Lopez. Under the current provisions, if Lopez and his associates are removed from the company, the gas and hydropower businesses can be purchased for P125 bil-

lion at a 25-percent discount.

“Why would one person’s job be worth billions of pesos of other people’s money? This is a scandal, and the government should investigate, especially now that First Gen has been found to have disclosed the two pills two and six months late, and only because the majority exposed them”, the Lopez majority said.

The group is calling for a government investigation to determine if the agreements existed when investments were first disclosed or if they were later additions. They said the provisions remove the fundamental right of a board and its shareholders to replace management in a listed company.

Internal tension has increased as a First Gen board member recently challenged the validity of the board’s approval regarding a hydropower transaction. The original P75 billion deal for a 40 percent stake was allegedly hidden under “other matters” and discussed in an executive session for only one hour.

The fundamental right to safe and potable water

HIGHER prices of goods and services are shrinking the pockets of every household.

Consumer organizations have called for the government to implement measures that will curb the rising costs of basic needs of every household, especially food and utilities, including water.

The concern for rising prices and the ensuing economic crunch is understandable. Equally pivotal, however, is the provision of potable water, especially in the rural and far-flung areas.

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and well-being.

Philippine demand for water is rising owing to rapid population growth, urbanization and increasing water needs from agriculture, industry and energy sectors.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has pro-actively addressed the water situation in the Philippines in the past years and pledged to exhaust all possible efforts to ensure that more Filipinos will afford water as a basic human right and need.

The administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has obtained significant milestones to increase the number of Filipino households with access to safe and potable sources of drinking water.

President Marcos, to this credit, created the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) within the DENR to harmonize water security initiatives across the country.

The creation of the WRMO serves as a temporary measure while the Philippine legislature deliberates on the feasibility of creating a new government agency called Department of Water Resources.

The WRMO since 2023 has implemented several projects to further increase access to safe and potable drinking water for Filipino households outside of Metro Manila, especially those in far-flung remote areas.

Upon his assumption to office earlier this year, newly-appointed DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna pledged to speed up the rollout of several WRMO projects, including water filtration program.

The WRMO has provided isolated small island communities with water filtration systems designed to convert both saline and fresh water sources to potable water.

Communities are provided with constant and sustainable access to potable water at substantially lower costs, or P20-P25 per 5-gallon container against the previous P50-P70 per 5 gallon container.

The program in 2025 was successfully implemented in six sites in the following provinces: Romblon, Sorsogon, Occidental Mindoro, Bohol and Zamboanga City. In 2026, two additional sites became operational in Bohol and Bulacan while the remaining sites are nearing completion, such as those in Zamboanga City, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Eastern Samar. The program aims to cover a total of 71,256 individuals from 2025–2026.

Philippine demand for water is rising owing to rapid population growth

The WRMO is strengthening the operational capacity of water districts through equipment provision and financial assistance for service area expansion. Through equipment provision in several local water districts across the country, the price of drinking water is cut by half to P15 per 5-gallon container as opposed to the current retail price of P25-P35 per container. In 2025, the DENR successfully installed water refilling station equipment in six out of the 24 targeted sites in the water districts of Kumalarang, Tukuran, Kapatagan, Metro Carigara, Abulug, and Bayawan water districts in Zamboanga del Sur province. Meanwhile, construction continues in areas such as San Manuel and Cordon in Isabela province. In total, the projected population served for CY 2025 beneficiaries alone is approximately 30,720 people.

On water service expansion, the DENR in 2025 awarded financial assistance packages totaling P100 million to 11 Category C/D water districts, facilitating service expansion to 72,016 beneficiaries in unserved outskirt barangays.

To further extend the reach, the WRMO has proposed an additional 13 sites for the 2026 cycle, which aims to connect another 35,804 residents to the water service grid.

Another water system initiative is the Infiltration Gallery Project that seeks to develop an alternative sustainable and climate-resilient source of raw water for districts and local government units (LGUs).

The project utilizes the subsurface flow of the river (hyporheic zone), which naturally filters the water through sand and gravel layers using perforated infiltration pipes. The project aims to provide sustainable water supply solutions to unserved and underserved communities that are experiencing seasonal water shortages.

More specialized and community-based projects are in the offing.

These include community water supply development, filtration and mini-hydropower sites in Abra, Cotabato, Homonhon and Agusan del Sur.

The conduct of georesistivity surveys will likewise provide technical assistance and specialized expertise to help water districts accurately evaluate subsurface conditions and determine the suitability of proposed sites, thereby improving the likelihood of success in their deep well projects.

By the end of 2026, the WRMO’s cumulative efforts are projected to provide safe water access to a total of 440,904 individuals nationwide.

The DENR projects will require increased funding. Cuna noted that the WRMO was only allotted a P485million budget for 2024-2026. The DENR as a whole needs a P200-billion budget in order to roll out and expedite the projects of WRMO and ensure Philippine water security.

That is a small prices to ask for providing the fundamental right to safe and potable water.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com

THURSDAY,

FINANCIAL AGREEMENT. Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to provide financial assistance disbursement services to the beneficiaries of the Office of the Bangsamoro Muja-hideen Under Special Circumstance (OBMUSC) and install an offsite Automated Teller Machine (ATM) within the BARMM Compound. This underscores Veterans Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that members of the Mujahideen Under Special Circumstances — defined under Section 5 of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 57 as male and female members of the MILF and MNLF who are senior citizens and/or persons with permanent or partial disability — can conveniently access their financial assistance through ATM services.

AirAsia seeks gov’t aid to counter rising fuel costs

AIRASIA Philippines general-manager and president Anna Victoria Lu called for stronger government support for the aviation sector on Wednesday, warning that rising costs and weakening demand could undermine the recovery of airlines and tourism.

Speaking on the sidelines of the National Tourism Congress at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City, Lu said the industry is grappling with a “triple threat” that requires policy intervention.

Lu cited surging jet fuel prices,

which have reached up to three times pre-conflict levels, and the depreciation of the peso as primary cost drivers.

The local currency has fallen from around 56 to 57 to 61 per dollar. She said these pressures are magnified because the industry’s expenses for aircraft maintenance and spare parts are dollar-denominated.

“This is relevant to us because our costs are in dollars, especially for maintenance and spare parts to ensure safety standards,” Lu said. Airlines are also absorbing losses

IN BRIEF

(BATELEC II).

The partnership marks the first time GADC utilized the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Retail Aggregation Program (RAP). This allows GADC to group the electricity demand of multiple stores within the same distribution utility to negotiate more affordable and stable rates.

“We are committed to being more than just an electricity supplier — we aim to be a trusted, long term partner, providing stability, transparency and support that enhance the everyday McDonald’s experience for Filipinos, while upholding the brand’s legacy and standards,” EvoEnergi president Julian Lao said. Darwin G. Amojelar Lawson PH shifts 25 stores to clean power

from previously sold tickets, which limits their ability to adjust fares in response to current economic shifts.

Lu also flagged weakening travel demand as inflation erodes consumer purchasing power, causing households to prioritize essential spending over discretionary travel.

Lu cited the necessity for policies that cushion the sector, noting the intrinsic link between aviation and the broader tourism industry.

“Airlines are interconnected with tourism, and we need policies that will support the industry,” she said.

Othel V. Campos

DOT chief warns vs. proposals to scrap travel tax

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay cautioned against proposals to exempt travelers from paying the national travel tax, warning that removing the levy could create funding gaps for vital tourism and cultural programs.

“Hopefully they won’t abolish the tax, I know it’s not a popular opinion, but we cannot suddenly put a gap in the subsidy for these very important things,” Angara-Mathay said in an interview on the sidelines of the National Conference 2026 organized by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines. Angara-Mathay said revenues from the tax are critical to sustaining government support for tourism development, education and cultural preservation. She said the priority is to make spending more transparent so the public understands where funds go. The travel tax is a government levy imposed on individuals leaving the country under Presidential Decree 1183. It is collected primarily from Filipino travelers and certain longstaying foreign residents. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid said travel tax collection amounted to P8.7

This

increase from 163,031 in the

a

The consolidated cost of services grew by P240.5

or 4 percent. The company attributed this to higher government fees resulting from increased revenues at the Skyway and Stage 3 projects. The firm also noted a rise in contracted services for manpower and RFID subscriber management. These increases were partially offset by a decline in repairs and maintenance costs following the reclassification of maintenance services into contracted services.

Darwin G. Amojelar

McDonald’s PH taps EvoEnergi’s power supply GOLDEN Arches Development Corp. (GADC), the master franchise holder of McDonald’s Philippines, teamed up with EvoEnergi to supply conventional and renewable energy to 224 stores across Luzon.

EvoEnergi won the competitive bidding process to serve as the retail electricity supplier (RES) for the first phase of the rollout. The deal covers 224 facilities organized into 23 retail aggregated groups with a combined demand of about 22,000 KW. These sites operate within the franchise areas of Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Pangasinan III Electric Cooperative Inc (PANELCO III) and Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc

LAWSON Philippines will transition its business operations to 100-percent renewable energy through a retail electricity supply partnership with ACEN RES, the retail electricity unit of the Ayala group.

The convenience store chain plans to sequentially switch to 100-percent renewable energy for 25 stores in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite and Bulacan. The transition occurs through the governmentled Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), a system that enables multiple electricity consumers to aggregate their power demand and directly negotiate supply terms with licensed suppliers.

This falls under the Retail Competition and Open Access system, which promotes energy independence and market competition.

“By choosing renewables, Lawson is enabling companies like ACEN make a significant contribution to the target of the Philippines to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix This collaboration demonstrates how strategic energy choices can drive both operational efficiency and national sustainability targets,” ACEN chief operating officer for Philippine operations Miguel de Jesus said.

Lawson Philippines president Yasuhiro Sato said the partnership will contribute to reducing energy costs at stores and provide an opportunity to raise awareness among Filipinos about the importance of the environment. Darwin G. Amojelar, Alena Mae S. Flores

SCAM-READY. The ASEAN Foundation launches Scam Ready ASEAN, a regional initiative to strengthen prevention against online scams across Southeast Asia. The program was unveiled at the Google 2026 Online Safety Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, a forum bringing together policymakers, industry and safety experts focused on combatting the growing threat of online fraud and scams. Supported by Google. org with $5-million funding, the program aims to build scam resilience for 3,000,000 people across ASEAN, representing one of the region’s largest-ever digital defence initiatives against online scams.

Gov’t plans to tap PNOC-bought diesel to avert off-grid blackouts

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE government plans to utilize diesel procured by the state-run Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) to fuel offgrid power plants and prevent electricity price hikes in remote islands, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.

The Department of Energy is coordinating with PNOC, the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and the National Electrification Administration to provide preferential fuel rates for the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG).

Garin said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aims to protect consumers from rising costs and potential supply disruptions caused by high global oil prices.

“We are also now focused on making sure that all our islands, especially Napocor power plants, that these areas do not suffer any interruptions due to the crisis,” Garin said.

Under the plan, PNOC will supply

THE Philippine food manufacturing sector on Wednesday expressed support for the government’s proposed Philippine Nutrient Profiling Model, but urged regulators to revisit product thresholds they described as impractical.

Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. executive-director Mario Capanzana said during a Food Summit 2026 briefing in Bonifacio Global City that the industry does not oppose nutrient profiling. He said the framework can help guide companies as they reformulate products to be healthier for consumers.

Capanzana said, however, the current model risks applying a “one-sizefits-all” standard across diverse food

diesel at discounted rates to generation companies in missionary areas. Garin noted that this strategy will serve as a template for other off-grid regions. She assured the public that the current diesel buffer of 54.61 days is sufficient to avoid rotational brownouts.

“The public should not worry about rotational brownouts in off-grid areas,” Garin said.

“Our directive to the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) is clear: prioritize off-grid generation companies in diesel supply and give them preferential rates and terms to maintain adequate supply and avoid increasing electricity bills,” she said.

National Power Corp. president Jericho Nograles previously warned of a potential P10-billion budget shortfall for the remainder of the year if diesel prices remain above P127 per liter. The firm had originally budgeted P60 per liter with a buffer for up to P92 per liter.

categories that does not account for differences in product composition and function. He called for a recalibration of the features, specifically the thresholds that determine how salt, sugar and other nutrients classify a product.

“Thresholds are very critical because they determine how food products will be classified based on salt, sugar and other nutrients. It should not be a one-size-fits-all. There should be different thresholds per category,” Capanzana said.

The group proposed that regulators align these classifications with international benchmarks, such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission and existing

billion in 2025. TIEZA expects total collections to hit P9.2 billion in 2029. Lapid said taxes are earmarked for multiple development areas. About 50 percent of the funds go to tourism infrastructure projects, 40 percent to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for tourism-related training and 10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for heritage preservation.

“These funds support projects such as tourist rest areas, destination improvements and skills development for the tourism workforce, underscoring the sector’s role in economic and cultural programs,” Lapid said. Debate over scrapping the tax has intensified as some policymakers argue the move could lower travel costs and boost regional tourism. While Angara-Mathay acknowledged that affordability is important, she said funding for infrastructure and human capital remains essential to long-term competitiveness.

Maynilad’s profit hit P4b in first quarter

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. said Wednesday its net income increased by 10.3 percent to P4 billion in the first quarter from a year ago, as higher billed volumes and customer growth bolstered its financial performance. The water concessionaire for the west zone of Metro Manila reported that revenues climbed 6.2 percent to P9.1 billion. Net income margin improved to 43.9 percent. Total billed connections rose 1.5 percent to 1.58 million, while total billed volume grew 2.3 percent to 136.1 million cubic meters.

Growth originated primarily from the domestic segment, which recorded a 3 percent increase in billed volume.

Service reliability also showed gains during the period. Service coverage increased to 94.9 percent from 94.7 percent, and 24-hour water availability rose to 97.9 percent from 96.8 percent.

“Our first-quarter results reflect steady execution across both our operations and investment programs. We continue to see improvements in service reliability and water availability, while sustaining strong financial performance,” Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez said.

The utility firm reduced nonrevenue water (NRW) to 30.7 percent from 36.2 percent a year earlier through leak detection, pipe replacement and network optimization. Fernandez said the company remains focused on strengthening the system, reducing losses and ensuring investments translate into better service.

Philippine national standards. Capanzana said certain formulations serve specific purposes, noting that canned fish in oil or brine cannot be easily altered without sacrificing quality.

“You cannot compare butter with a pack of nuts purely on fat content,” Capanzana said. The PCFMI also raised concerns on the technical feasibility of the current requirements.

Manufacturers may find it difficult to meet these standards without making significant adjustments to their operations. Capanzana cited the need for dialogue with the PNPM working group to refine the policy. Othel V. Campos

China pushes for visa-free travel to Boracay

CHINESE Ambassador Jing Quan

proposed extending visa-free entry arrangements for Chinese nationals to top Philippine destinations Boracay and Bohol during a threeday visit to the island for the “Love Boracay 2026” event.

The ambassador met with local officials, legislators, hoteliers, travel agents and police officers from April 23 to 25 to discuss strengthening tourism cooperation.

Beyond visa reforms, Jing addressed the resumption of direct charter flights and the enhancement of consular protection services to ensure the safety of visiting tourists.

The visit focused on joint measures to support the recovery and long-term sustainable growth of the local tourism sector.

Jing said that people-to-people exchanges serve as a foundation for mutual understanding between the two nations.

“When visitors share their experiences with family, friends and on social media, that will encourage and attract more tourists to visit each other,” Jing said.

The diplomat noted that increased travel builds organic connections, as personal stories shared online and in person often drive future tourism trends.

Discussions also touched on the economic impact of these proposals, as Chinese tourism historically accounts for a significant portion of local revenue. While specific financial targets were not disclosed, local businesses expressed optimism that increased arrivals could inject millions of P into the regional economy.

Tourism officials welcomed the talks on flight resumptions, noting that direct access remains a primary hurdle for international travelers.

The proposed security enhancements and consular support are intended to provide a stable environment for the projected influx of visitors through 2026 and beyond.

Since the start of the year, Chinese arrival numbers have increased by 15 percent, signaling a steady return to pre-pandemic travel patterns. Michael Wong Ho

Balangay boats highlight centuries-old China-PH ties

By Michael Wong Ho

CENTURIES of maritime history anchored a new diplomatic dialogue at the Bahay Tsinoy Museum on April 22, 2026 as officials celebrated the ancient Balangay boat as a symbol of enduring ties between the Philippines and China.

The cultural event, titled “A Millennium of Boat, A New Silk Road Chapter: The Balangay and the Enduring Ties Between China and the Philippines,” marked the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the ancient Butuan boats.

Co-organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the gathering drew more than 200 community leaders, scholars and government officials.

China Ambassador Jing Quan described the Balangay as a historical witness to a thousand years of friendship. He said the Sea Silk Road facilitated trade and civilian exchanges long before modern diplomacy, adding that current relations have entered a new chapter through the resumption of flights and growth in tourism.

“The peoples of both countries maintained trade and civilian exchanges along the Sea Silk Road,” Jing said, add-

ing that contemporary ties are seeing steady growth in trade and culture.

NCCA chair Dr. Eric Zerrudo said the Balangay remains a vital reference for understanding how ancestors engaged with the wider world. His sentiments were echoed by Butuan City Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun, who emphasized the human element of these historical voyages.

“The Balangay represents not only an archaeological treasure but also the spirit of community building and embarking on voyages full of hope,” Fortun said.

He noted that the friendship between the two nations was forged through repeated people-to-people encounters rather than solely through formal agreements.

The event featured technical and cultural demonstrations regarding the vessel’s legacy. Butuan folk artist Carlito Amalla provided a detailed presentation on the structure of the boat, while Kaya ng Pinoy Inc. expedition leader Art Valdez demonstrated how ancient sailors used wind power and star navigation to reach China.

Other attendees included Philippines Muslim Mindanao Consultative Council Inc. president Dr. Zulfikar Abantas and Tungawan Mayor Angelito Aniñon. Both officials affirmed that cultural exchange remains a primary tool for strengthening bilateral ties.

The program concluded with a performance by Manobo tribe members, who showcased a native ventriloquist puppet show to highlight the indigenous roots of the maritime tradition.

Xiamen Airlines to launch two direct PH routes

By Julie Ann Lope

XIAMEN Airlines will launch two new direct routes to Manila and increase frequencies on existing services, expanding its China–Philippines capacity to 44 weekly round-trip flights, according to a post by the Chinese Embassy.

Starting May 20, 2026, Xiamen Airlines will operate a new Hangzhou–Manila service (MF8657/ MF8658) four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flights depart Hangzhou at 16:35 and arrive Manila at 19:45, with the return departing Manila at 21:00 and arriving Hangzhou at 23:55.

A new Chongqing–Manila route (MF8647/MF8648) will begin service with an inaugural flight on May 21 and operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Departures from Chongqing are scheduled at 16:15, arriving Manila at 19:45; the return leaves Manila at 21:00 and arrives Chongqing at 00:30 the following day.

Xiamen Airlines is also adding frequencies on two existing China–Manila links.

The Xiamen–Manila sector will gain a new daily afternoon service (MF8659/MF8660), joining the current morning (MF827/828) and evening (MF819/MF820) flights to create three daily round trips.

Quanzhou–Manila will add a daily morning flight (MF8739/MF8740) to its existing afternoon service (MF817/818), bringing that route to two daily round trips.

Business leaders donate four rural school buildings in Rosario, Batangas

FILIPINO-CHINESE business leaders donated four rural school buildings to elementary schools in Rosario, Batangas as part of a long-standing community development initiative. Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) honorary president Cecilio Pedro turned over a school building with serial number 6470 at Mabato Elementary School.

FFCCCII vice president George Hock Huy Chiu donated two additional buildings, numbered 6468 and 6469, during separate ceremonies at Mabato Elementary and Balibago Elementary School.

FFCCCII advisor Juan Ong Go provided a fourth building, with serial number 6471.

The donations are part of the Filipino-Chinese community “Three Treasures” initiative. The program enables the community to give back to mainstream society and support development in rural areas.

Batangas Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Willy Wong and general secretary Ke Ji Ping attended the ceremonies alongside local barangay officials and Mabato Elementary School leaders. Michael Wong Ho

FFCCCII welcomes CICC Singapore to boost investments

2026 to discuss expanding economic and trade cooperation between China and Southeast Asia. FFCCCII vice president and Belt and Road Initiative Committee adviser Anthony Chan welcomed the group at the Federation Building in Binondo, Manila. CICC Singapore chief executive and head of Southeast Asia and South Asia Stephen Ng led the visiting delegation.

Delivering remarks on behalf of FFCCCII

president Victor Lim, Chan lauded CICC as the first mainland Chinese investment bank formed through a joint venture with a foreign partner.

He described the Singapore office as a vital regional hub connecting Southeast Asian capital and enterprises with the Chinese market. Chan said the ASEAN region, with a population approaching 700 million and a ranking as the world’s fifth-largest economy, offers significant growth potential in e-commerce, digital finance and logistics. Julie Ann Lope

Puppetry workshop boosts Mandarin cultural exchange

ABOUT 25 Mandarin teachers and cultural educators gathered in Manila this week for a workshop on Taiwan’s glove puppetry, gaining new tools for language instruction and regional cultural exchange.

The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) organized “The Art of Glove Puppetry” in partnership with the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines.

The program combined historical lectures with hands-on sessions to demonstrate how traditional performing arts can modernize contemporary classroom learning.

Dr. Ulysses Yu of St. Stephen’s High School led the session in Binondo, where he traced the evolution of the craft from its folk origins to a refined theatrical art. Yu demonstrated specific character roles, manipulation techniques and vocal expressions while guiding participants

Educators in Manila explore Taiwan’s traditional glove puppetry as a dynamic tool for Mandarin language instruction and cultural exchange in a workshop organized by the OCAC.

through puppet costume-making and basic performance skills.

Organizers designed the workshop to bridge the gap between traditional heritage and student engagement. Culture Center director Eric Po-chih Chuang said glove puppetry integrates language, storytelling, music and visual performance, which makes Mandarin lessons more engaging and accessible for students.

Chuang also underscored the importance of inclusive education, noting that cultural learning environments should remain welcoming, respectful and open to all participants.

The curriculum focused on practical classroom applications, ranging from dialogue practice and storytelling to interactive learning strategies.

Educators aim to use these techniques to boost student interest and participation in Mandarin courses across the Philippines. Julie Ann Lope

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

SHOWBIZ

Kaila Estrada posts cozy photo with Daniel Padilla

By Jasper Valdez

KAILA Estrada has once again fueled romance rumors with Daniel Padilla after sharing a cozy photo from the actor’s recent birthday celebration.

On Instagram Stories, Kaila posted a series of snaps from Daniel’s party, opening with a blurry but intimate photo of the two together. In the image, they were seen leaning into each other while smiling, with Daniel’s hand resting on the small of Kaila’s back.

The following photos showed the pair in group settings, enjoying the celebration with friends, adding to online speculation about their relationship.

Daniel’s mother, Karla Estrada, also shared a photo from the same birthday gathering on Monday, drawing even more attention from fans closely watching the rumored couple.

Kaila and Daniel have been linked since last year after being spotted together several times in both private and public settings. Their closeness has continued to spark curiosity, though neither has directly confirmed the status of their relationship.

Daniel, who recently turned 31, was previously in a longterm relationship with Kathryn Bernardo. The former couple confirmed their breakup in November 2023 after 11 years together.

THE biopic simply called Michael is setting box office records and gaining much attention, as deserving as the superstar behind the title character himself.

Must-watch biopic reminds us of MJ’s greatness

A quick check on the slew of documentaries and smallbudgeted flicks pertaining to the life story of Michael Jackson may probably lead you more to controversial narratives linked to him rather than ones focusing on his impact on the world of music and culture. This one, directed by Antoine Fuqua of Training Day fame, is something we Michael Jackson fans and just about anybody who has enjoyed his songs, charm, and message need at this time. We need to be reminded of what MJ did to pop music and how his passion for killer tunes and dance as expression connected humans, probably more than any single act. Of course, the so-called purists out there who’d rather see a movie highlighting the apparent eccentricities of the man that led to allegations and bad publicity could complain all day, but what do we get from seeing the dark side of a beloved man when the reason for paying tribute to his legacy is to actually showcase his brilliance? Mockers will mock and are probably feeling bad for Joseph, Michael’s dad, excellently played by Colman Domingo, and planning to stage a protest rally to cry justice for a family man who turned his family into a brand.

I saw Michael Jackson perform live back in 1996 in Manila.

My late brother Eulogio Jr., a super MJ fan, bought two tickets, one for him and one for me, so we could watch the King of Pop and experience what it was like to be at his concert. That night I witnessed my brother in euphoria like never before as soon as MJ appeared on stage.

By that time, the world already knew that Michael was weird in a variety of ways. None of that factored when the show began. It was all love for the artist behind four bestselling, groundbreaking solo albums and a separate career as a lead-singing member of the Jackson 5 , which, as a whole, entertained countless people like no other. Not even Elvis Prestley, if I may say.

Again, if you’re given a platform that can be seen by the whole world, why

STAR Magic artists Akira Morishita and Jarlo Base looked back on their experience in Your Face

Sounds Familiar (YFSF) Season 4 during the Star Magic Spotlight press conference held recently at the Dolphy Theatre in ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.

Both performers recalled their journey from early stage nerves to behind-the-scenes moments, saying the competition helped shape their growth as artists and strengthened their relationships with fellow contestants.

Akira, dubbed the season’s “Ace Idol,” said the experience taught him the importance of staying present on stage.

“There’s still that feeling you need to tap into, and you really have to enjoy it,” Akira said. “That’s what we should be doing in every performance, whether it’s on the Your Face stage or outside of it.”

Beyond performances and scoring, both artists said the friendships they built stood out as one of the most meaningful parts of the show.

“It was there that I first felt they were not just work friends, they are really my friends, my family,” Jarlo said. “As the season was ending, that’s when I realized, ‘I’m really going to miss all of them.’”

Now, Akira is preparing for more projects with P-pop group BGYO, while Jarlo continues developing his work as a singersongwriter for upcoming solo releases. Both said they remain open to collaborating again in the future.

As they move into new projects, the two artists said they carry lessons from the YFSF stage, which they credited for sharpening their versatility and resilience as performers under Star Magic.

not deliver a positive message? No human being is perfect anyway. It is not sanitizing his story. It is showing how great his life was, that badmouthing him like he must have sold his soul to the whites via surgeries or he was a man-child who played with fire one too many times would prove senseless.

The Beatles sang “All You Need Is Love” live via satellite for the world to embrace the good message. They did not sing that they were taking drugs or sleeping with women, not their wives or girlfriends.

Besides, MJ’s achievements couldn’t be overshadowed by tabloid junkies. His contributions somehow healed the world in more ways than one. I have yet to check the spelling of Michael’s nephew’s name from time to time, but salute to the young man Jaafar Jackson, he did an admirable job. No wonder there’s no big-name Hollywood actor that comes to mind that we thought could portray a most complex man.

The reenactments of familiar images related to MJ’s music videos were spot on. You’d feel like you’re back in time watching the pop icon orchestrate his vision.

The extended performances made it feel like you were truly watching his concert in your face. If that was a style so as to keep the story just until the era of Bad—in fact, only the album title track made it into the movie—and for people to think there will be a sequel to feature his other hits, well, it paid off.

People stay right through the credits because we were collectively hoping for an encore, one more MJ classic to be performed by Jaafar as Michael.

If you come out of the cinema disappointed because you didn’t see much of the imperfect Michael, then you must be in a dark place. We all need to be uplifted at this point in modern history. Biopics like Michael and Bohemian Rhapsody are inspiring tales of men who were flawed yet superbly talented and passionate about their craft. They stretched possibilities to keep the human spirit alive and kicking.

Michael proved that MJ was the King of Pop, and it’s a title only he could deserve.

By Angelica Villanueva

RONNIE Alonte has taken legal action against individuals who allegedly violated a non-disclosure agreement involving his private wedding to actress Loisa Andalio and details about her pregnancy.

Speaking on the YouTube talk show Think Talk Tea hosted by Kring Kim, Ronnie said their wedding had already been planned after they learned Loisa was four months pregnant. Nakaplano na ‘yung kasal n’ung nalaman namin na 4 months na pala,” he shared. Ronnie added that while the wedding

itself was expected, the proposal was not part of the original plan and was done as a surprise for Loisa.

According to Ronnie, they intended to reveal the marriage on their own timeline, but a worker from the fireworks team allegedly posted a video from the ceremony on TikTok, causing the news to spread early.

Ewan ko kung anong nangyari. Lahat may NDA. Lumabas ‘yung wedding namin, lumabas ‘yung pregnancy niya, lahat ‘yun may NDA,” he said. He confirmed that some cases are already ongoing.

Ronnie and Loisa got married in November 2025 after nine years of dating and welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in March this year.

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Miguel Tanfelix shows adventurous side

By Nickie Wang

ACTOR Miguel Tanfelix

takes on a new role as solo host of Planet XP , a magazine infotainment special that places him at the center of immersive outdoor experiences and real-life encounters with nature.

Known for his travel posts and interest in self-discovery, Tanfelix drew strong online engagement last year after documenting a solo trip to South America, which resonated with netizens and encouraged similar explorations.

In Planet XP, he tries activities such as mountain climbing, windsurfing, and engaging with indigenous communities while showcasing different landscapes across the Philippines.

“I realized here that it’s not enough to just watch adventures on social media. You need to experience connecting with nature firsthand because you learn a lot from it,” Tanfelix said in the vernacular.

He added that the program goes beyond adventure content.

“As an actor, you need to carefully choose your projects and advocacies. For example, Planet XP has a campaign

for different communities in the Philippines and promotes caring for nature.”

Tanfelix, who describes himself as an adrenaline seeker, said the experience also serves as a personal reset.

“I really want to be involved in this kind of work. I enjoy experiencing adventures because I learn more. Even if it’s physically tiring, it’s emotionally happy. It’s fulfilling,” the 27-year-old actor explained.

He is also part of GMA Entertainment Group’s Be Juan Tama campaign alongside Boy Abunda, Chris Tiu, and Dingdong Dantes, which promotes responsible media consumption and content that supports mental, emotional, and social development.

Tanfelix said he is mindful of his influence on younger audiences. “There is a sense of responsibility. The more young people look up to you, the more you want to do what is right in the world so you can inspire them to also do good for others and for nature.”

Planet XP is a five-episode program produced through the partnership of GMA Network and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), under the 2024 National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV). It will feature Filipino Sign Language interpretation and closed captioning.

The program premieres on May 2 and airs every Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on GMA, after 24 Oras Weekend and before Pepito Manaloto . Full episodes will also be available on the GMA Network and GMA Playground YouTube channels.

NEPHROPLUS Philippines has opened its first hemodialysis training facility, stepping up efforts to strengthen renal care as chronic kidney disease cases continue to rise nationwide.

The NephroPlus Hemodialysis Training Center, located at the GEMPC Building along Timog Avenue in Quezon City, aims to address the growing demand for skilled dialysis professionals as more Filipinos require life-sustaining treatment.

The company said the facility will train nurses and technicians through structured programs aligned with standards set by the Department of Health, the Philippine Society of Nephrology, and international renal care practices.

The center offers two-month courses for hemodialysis nurses and reuse technicians, combining classroom instruction with hands-on training. The nursing program can accommodate up to 24 trainees per batch and covers kidney function, dialysis technologies, and patient care. The technician program focuses on dialyzer handling, including cleaning, sterilization, and waste management, with emphasis on compliance and ethical standards.

The facility is open to NephroPlus employees and

supports the company’s plan to build a pipeline of trained professionals across its expanding network. Graduates may be deployed to local clinics or offered roles within the company’s international operations, including India, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

Kamal D. Shah, co-founder of NephroPlus, attended the inauguration and highlighted the need to improve public understanding of dialysis.

“At NephroPlus, we believe that everybody on dialysis can lead a completely normal life — work, travel, have fun, go to movies, bond with friends, and do everything that any individual can do,” Shah said. “There’s been a misconception that once somebody starts dialysis, it’s the end of life. If we provide good quality dialysis, our guests can continue living fully.”

Gowtham Arumugam, country head of NephroPlus Philippines, said dialysis care requires both skill and empathy.

“You will see the same guest again and again, so empathy becomes part of the work,” he said.

Alongside workforce development, NephroPlus has also launched the NephroPlus Guest App, which offers clinic access, educational content, and patient support tools.

A WORN-OUT Pikachu plushie, tired teddy bear, or stained stuffed animal can get a new lease on life at a Japanese laundry service, making beloved toys squeaky clean again.

Masakazu Shimura, a cleaning professional with three decades of experience, gave one stuffed Pokémon already in good condition a steam shower, carefully brushing it after a gentle bubble scrub, almost as if caring for a newborn baby. Videos of the meticulous care the cuddly toys receive at his workplace, Cleaning Yonmarusan, have mesmerized plushie fans on social media, giving the fabric care viral fame and attracting customers from around the world.

Relying on his expertise cleaning everything from dress shirts to camping tents, Shimura restores the delicate fabric of soft toys.

“While hand-washing, I carefully feel what kind of material it is and assess the condition of

the material and so on, gently massaging it with my hands as I wash it,” he told AFP Shimura is among a dozen certified cleaning professionals at Yonmarusan, a regional chain in Yamanashi, west of Tokyo.

While the firm has been cleaning soft toys for decades, business has boomed thanks to viral social media posts, riding on Gen Z’s adoration for plushies and Japan’s love for cute and cuddly items.

Today, the service cleans more than 10,000 soft toys every year, compared to about 1,200 annually a decade ago.

Some people even “come to Japan specifically for the purpose of having their soft toys cleaned,” said Hisako Mori, the firm’s public relations manager.

“While

MEGAWORLD Lifestyle Malls is supporting the Philippine Retailers Association’s nationwide campaign “The Bag Habit” this Earth Day, encouraging shoppers to make reusable bags part of their daily routine, as common as carrying a mobile phone.

The initiative is being implemented across Megaworld destinations, including Uptown Bonifacio, Eastwood City, Venice Grand Canal, McKinley West, Forbes Town, Lucky Chinatown, Arcovia City, The Mactan Newtown, Southwoods Mall, Twin Lakes Shopping Village, and Festive Walk Iloilo, among others.

The campaign promotes a simple idea: every purchase is a chance to reduce waste.

Within mall spaces, the program turns everyday transactions into small environmental actions. Using reusable bags for groceries, fashion, and lifestyle items helps cut reliance on single-use packaging, particularly in busy retail settings. The goal is to make sustainability feel like second nature rather than a conscious effort.

The habit also extends into dining. Takeout orders and leftovers are encouraged to move away from disposable packaging in favor of reusable bags. Even leisure visits, from movie nights to casual strolls, are framed as moments where the practice can be reinforced.

Supporters say the impact builds over time. As more shoppers adopt reusable bags, demand for disposable materials falls, easing

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Six mental health strategies to strengthen self-control

MANY people struggle with staying focused at work, controlling spending habits or managing emotional reactions in stressful situations, experts say.

Self-control is often described as discipline, willpower, or grit. Psychosocial rehabilitation specialist and educator Kendra Cherry, MSEd, defines it as the ability to regulate behavior, resist unwanted impulses, and stay aligned with longterm goals.

Cherry, author of The Everything Psychology Book, explains that self-control is part of executive function, which involves planning, monitoring, and goalsetting. People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), she notes, may experience challenges linked to this system.

She also breaks self-control into different areas: managing impulses, regulating emotions, and controlling physical behavior. Difficulties in these areas may lead to acting without thinking, emotional overwhelm, or restlessness, she notes.

Cherry adds that while self-control has a genetic component and can be limited in capacity, research shows it can be strengthened through practice. Strong selfcontrol in childhood has also been associated with better long-term health and financial outcomes in adulthood.

Experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), drawing from strategies highlighted by Cherry on Verywell Mind, outlined practical ways to build self-control.

1. Avoid temptation

Reducing exposure to triggers can help manage impulses. When urges arise, shifting attention to another activity, such as walking, calling a friend, or doing household tasks, may help redirect focus and prevent impulsive behavior.

2. Plan ahead

Anticipating situations that challenge discipline can make it easier to respond effectively. For example, those trying to reduce sugar intake may benefit from eating balanced meals with fiber, protein, and whole grains to prevent cravings later in the day.

3. Practice self-control regularly

Self-control can be strengthened through repetition. Engaging in small acts of discipline consistently is similar to training a muscle. Although effort may feel draining at first, regular practice can build endurance over time.

By Nickie Wang

ALOT of derm patients are turning away from dramatic enhancements and toward treatments that improve skin quality in subtle, gradual, and lasting ways.

Why aesthetic medicine is turning to gradual, natural results

This growing preference helps explain the attention around Juvelook, an injectable designed to work beneath the surface rather than reshape facial features.

Unlike traditional dermal fillers that focus on lifting or contouring, Juvelook works on a deeper level by combining two key components: Hyaluronic acid (HA), known for hydration and skin plumping, and PDLLA (poly-D, L-lactic acid), a biostimulator that encourages collagen production. The approach pairs immediate hydration with longer-term skin renewal.

For many, the appeal lies in what it does not do. It does not alter facial structure or create a visibly “done” appearance. Instead, it focuses on improving clarity, elasticity, and overall skin quality. That makes it a practical entry point for those new to injectables, as well as for individuals seeking preventive care or a more sustained approach to skin health.

Patients who undergo a series of treatments often report that improvements continue over time. Skin

appears firmer and more refined, with results that develop gradually rather than fading quickly. The emphasis is on progression, not instant transformation.

Dr. Michelle Supapo , an aesthetic and anti-aging physician at Ysera Aesthetics Center, has been involved in introducing the treatment locally. She began as a key opinion leader in the Philippines through distributor Elogio Asia and later became an international trainer and speaker appointed by VAIM Global, the product’s manufacturer. She has also co-authored a paper on the treatment with international physicians, contributing to its clinical discussion.

Interest in Juvelook reflects a broader direction in the field. Patients are placing higher value on treatments that support the skin’s natural processes. Concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture, enlarged pores, and mild laxity are addressed through methods that build results over weeks or months rather than quick fixes. This preference aligns with a wider cultural move toward what practitioners describe as “undetectable” work. The goal is to look rested and healthy, without obvious signs of intervention.

In that context, Juvelook fits into a growing category of treatments that prioritize skin health and sustainability. It focuses less on reversing age overnight and more on maintaining the skin in a way that appears consistent and natural over time.

As demand continues to evolve, treatments that offer gradual improvement may become the standard rather than the exception. Juvelook is offered at Ysera Aesthetics Center at One Mayon Place Building, Mayon st., Quezon City, a few meters away from the Welcome Rotunda. Call 7255-5357 or 0917-1059324.

4. Focus on one goal at a time

Taking on multiple major goals at once may spread attention and reduce effectiveness. Experts suggest prioritizing one key goal until it becomes a habit before shifting energy to another area.

6. Remind yourself of consequences Keeping long-term outcomes in mind can reinforce discipline. Poor self-control may affect health, finances, relationships, and overall well-being, making it important to stay mindful of the bigger picture when facing temptation.

5. Practice meditation and mindfulness Mindfulness meditation may help improve awareness of thoughts and impulses. By slowing mental activity, individuals may find it easier to pause before reacting and make more deliberate choices.

IN many Filipino homes, a mother’s work rarely stops when the visible tasks are done.

Beyond meals, errands, and schedules, much of her day is spent managing what experts call the “mental load,” the constant, quiet tracking of family needs, emotional cues, and daily logistics. It is work that is largely unseen, yet continuously running in the background.

Over time, that steady cognitive strain can weigh heavily. Studies from the Philippine Mental Health Association and the University of the Philippines have pointed to rising stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion among mothers, driven by caregiving demands, work responsibilities, and societal expectations. An article by We Thrive also notes that many mothers remain in a near-constant state of alertness, leaving limited space for rest or mental recovery.

Working mothers, often described as “WoMoms,” carry an added layer of pressure as they juggle professional responsibilities alongside family care, frequently setting aside their own needs to keep both spheres functioning.

The result is a familiar cycle: sustained mental effort throughout the day, followed by difficulty fully switching off at night. Even in rest, the mind remains active, affecting sleep quality and overall recovery.

Addressing this pattern requires more than managing daytime productivity. It also involves supporting how the body and mind recover after hours, allowing for proper rest that restores focus and energy.

One approach to this balance is targeted supplementation aimed at both ends of the daily routine. The goal is to support mental clarity during the day while also encouraging deeper rest at night.

In the Philippines, LAC Philippines has focused on this dual approach to

Breaking the cycle of fatigue

Addressing the daily strain on Filipino mothers

Filipino mothers often experience stress and exhaustion due to the ‘mental load’ of managing family needs (AI-generated image)

everyday wellness, positioning self-care as something that fits into a mother’s routine rather than adding to it.

For daytime support, LAC BrainSpeed® PS contains phosphatidylserine, along with DHA, acetyl L-carnitine, vitamin B3, and choline, which are associated with cognitive function, alertness, and memory support. It is formulated to help sustain focus and reduce mental fatigue during long and demanding days.

For nighttime recovery, LAC TriAction Sleep Formula uses a layered release

support different stages of sleep. It includes melatonin, GABA, valerian root, magnesium, and L-theanine, ingredients commonly used to promote relaxation and sleep quality. The formulation is non-habit-forming. Together, the products are positioned to support a full daily cycle, from focus during waking hours to rest at night. For many mothers, the broader conversation goes beyond supplements. It circles back to a simple but often overlooked need: